HC Deb 23 April 1940 vol 360 cc11-3
21. Mr. Lipson

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange that where a member of His Majesty's Forces is a widower and his sister is responsible for the care of his home and children, she shall be eligible for a dependant's allowance?

Mr. Stanley

A case of this kind is normally met by the grant of family allowance at a special rate, which includes, in addition to the normal rates for children, an element in respect of the general expenses of maintaining the home. Where this allowance is insufficient to meet the needs of a particular

Dependants' Allowances.
— Initial claims received since the introduction of revised conditions. Situation on 6th April. Claims reviewed by paymasters under the revised conditions without further application. Situation on 13th April. Renewed claims rejected previously under the old conditions. Situation on 6th April.
(a) Claims received … 22,634 †29,460 1,853
(b) Admitted for payment 8,953* (Payment increased) 15,820 127
(c) Rejected … … 9,844* (Payment not increased) 12,086 208
(d) Under investigation — 1,554 1,518
* These figures indicate the number paid or rejected during the period and do not necessarily relate to the number given at (a) above.
† This figure is the approximate total of the claims which can be reviewed by the paymasters without fresh application.
Separate figures for regular soldiers are not available.

37. Mr. Robert Gibson

(for Mr. Garro Jones) asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take into immediate consideration the representations from the Scottish Counties and Cities Associa-

case, application for a special allowance can be made to the War Service Grants Advisory Committee.

Mr. Lipson

Would not it be fairer to treat the sister of a widower who is performing this service as a dependant in the proper sense of the term; and is my right hon. Friend aware that if, instead of having a sister, he had an unmarried wife, there would be no question of an allowance? I hope that he will reconsider the matter.

Mr. Stanley

I am looking into the matter, but the position, obviously, of a sister in such circumstances is not exactly the same as the position of an unmarried dependant living as a wife.

Viscountess Astor

Is it not wrong, and does not my right hon. Friend think it is far more important?

24. Mr. Tinker

asked the Secretary of State for War how many claims have been made for dependants' allowances since the revised payments were made in March; how many have been admitted; and whether any regular soldiers have been granted claims?

Mr. Stanley

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

tion urging the Government to give immediate consideration to the question of granting definite rent allowances to men in His Majesty's Forces who are householders?

Mr. Stanley

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Mr. Kennedy) on 14th March last.