HC Deb 01 August 1940 vol 363 cc1393-7
12. Mr. Dobbie

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has arrived at any decision in relation to the question of house purchase by members of the Armed Forces who made application under M.S A.C., Form 21; and, if so, what is the decision arrived at and has he conveyed such decision to the Advisory Committee?

The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a resolution recently passed by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee in regard to house purchase through building societies. I regret that I found myself unable to accept the committee's recommendation. My decision was conveyed to the chairman of the committee on 25th July, and I understand that the hon. Member, in common with other members of the committee, has now received a copy.

Mr. Dobbie

Are we to understand that this decision of the Minister countermands the promise made by the Secretary of State for War in reply to a similar Question addressed to him some months ago, in regard to which Service men, their wives and families were firmly dependent upon the word of the Government?

Sir W. Womersley

No, Sir, I do not agree that it is countermanding any promise that was made. I met representatives of the building societies, and they were quite prepared to accept interest and leave in abeyance the question of repayment of capital. The committee were empowered to provide for interest in the cases with which they dealt.

Mr. Dobbie

Inasmuch as this answer is, in my opinion, a direct contravention of the promise made to the men in the service of the country, I shall take advantage of the first opportunity to raise this question on the Adjournment.

13. Mr. Debbie

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the great amount of disappointment amongst the dependants of the Armed Forces who make application for assistance to the M.S.A.C. under Form 21 at the long delay in getting answers to such applications; and will he take the needful steps to speed up the machinery dealing with such applications, so that quicker and better results may be obtained?

Sir W. Womersley

I am afraid I cannot usefully add to the very full statement which my hon. Friend made on this matter in the course of the Debate on 25th June.

Mr. Dobbie

Is the Minister aware that the Ministry takes a long time to give decisions, even a longer time sometimes than it takes to give effect to decisions in this House; and is he also aware that landlords do not delay, and that they are evicting soldiers' wives who are unable to meet their responsibilities?

Sir W. Womersley

I am not aware of those circumstances.

Mr. Gallacher

It is time you were.

Mr. Dobbie

Inasmuch as I am aware—

Mr. Speaker rose

—

Mr. Dobbie

These things are desperate to the people who are evicted.

14. Mr. Debbie

asked the Minister of Pensions what procedure is adopted by the committee dealing with applications for assistance by dependants of the Armed Forces under M.S.A.C. Form 21, when such applications are acceded to, to ensure that such grants do not automatically cease; and will he issue such instructions as to ensure that no payments will be discontinued until the committee have discussed the case and arrived at a decision on the same?

Sir W. Womersley

A war service grant does not cease automatically unless it is expressly made for a specific period or there is a material change in the recipient's circumstances such as to justify termination of the grant. When any other case is reviewed payment does not cease until a fresh decision is given.

Mr. Dobbie

Does that mean that, in the event of the Committee making a decision which terminates on a certain date, the particular case will be reviewed before the termination, or that there can either be a continuity of payment or an intimation given to the individual that no further payment can be made, because considerable hardship, inconvenience and disappointment are being experienced by the dependants of the soldiers?

Sir W. Womersley

In every case where an adjustment is made with regard to grants, the adjusted grant is made payable in the week following the last payment on the old grant. The question as to whether a notification is made by the Committee to the person concerned is one into which I shall have to inquire.

Mr. Dobbie

Would the Minister like to look at an eviction order, and also at letters which are not in line with the answer that the Minister has given to the Question?

Sir W. Womersley

I am always prepared to consider any cases that the hon. Member brings to my notice, and I shall be very glad if hon. Members will avail themselves of that privilege. It might save a good deal of trouble to the Member, and it certainly would be helpful to me.

Mr. Dobbie

And to the people concerned, I hope.

15 and 16. Mr. Dunn

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) what steps a soldier, sailor or airman should take in order to claim consideration by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee, whilst in any branch of the Services, who did not make a claim at the time of enlistment, and cannot secure the necessary forms;

(2) whether, in view of the uncertainty among new recruits to His Majesty's Forces as to the way in which they can claim special war service grants, he will make a statement as to what is the present procedure to be followed by the soldier; and whether any help is given him in making his claim?

17. Mrs. Adamson

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the difficulty in securing M.S.A.C. Form 21 by men at their medical examination, on enlistment and after commencement in the Services; and what steps he will take to remedy this position?

Sir W. Womersley

It has been the practice for some time to send to every man called for medical examination a leaflet on the subject of allowances, which includes a special reference to the grants made on the recommendation of the War Service Grants Advisory Committee. On attending for examination the man is definitely asked whether he wishes to apply for a grant, and, if he does, he is provided on the spot with an application form: he is advised to fill in the form there and then, and is offered help in completing it by an official who is well qualified to assist. If he does not wish, or is not able, to complete the form without taking it away he is advised to return it within two days, so that the necessary inquiries may be put in hand without delay. Men already serving can obtain application forms through their commanding officers, and welfare officers are ready to give advice and assistance in completing them. The arrangements for the supply of these forms have been so widely and repeatedly circulated in the Forces that I cannot accept as well founded, generalisations as to difficulties now experienced by men who apply for them. If my hon. Friends can quote actual cases of the kind, I am sure that the Service Departments, as in the past, will take steps to remove the difficulties where they are shown to occur. Finally, the wife or dependant of a man serving outside this country can personally apply on a form obtainable at the local office of the Assistance Board and notices to this effect are in all post offices.

Mrs. Adamson

Is the Minister aware that in the borough of Bexley the post offices knew nothing at all about this form or where it could be obtained; that the people in that large borough have to pay 4.d., 6d. or 8d. in fares to go to Eltham in order to secure the form; and further, while I admit that the men are being catered for on enlistment, is it not the fact that complaints have been made to his Department that after the men are in the Services the commanding officers have difficulty in providing these forms?

Sir W. Womersley

In the case of those who live some distance away from the Assistance Board offices, a postcard sent to those offices will result in a form being sent at once and will save the trouble of making the journey. As to the question of post offices not knowing anything about it, we have circulated the instruction among the whole of the postal service. It may be that one or two of the small offices have forgotten about the instruction, but I will make inquiries of my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General. As regards dealing with the question generally, I am endeavouring to obtain permission to make a broadcast on this subject.

Mr. Speaker rose

—

Sir Frank Sanderson

Am I not in order in putting a Supplementary Question?

Mr. Speaker

I do not think the hon. Member realises that there are 119 Questions on the Paper.

Sir F. Sanderson

I rarely intervene, and I would like to ask a question.