§ 26. Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for War what local authorities in Greater London have approached him and asked for the extra 3s. 6d. a week 1115 given to the families of serving men in the London postal area to be given in their districts also; and whether the Government are prepared to reconsider their decision in this matter?
§ Mr. LawI have received representations from two authorities, Brentford and Chiswick, and Barking. As regards the latter part of the Question, I cannot add anything to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 21st May last to a similar Question by the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher).
§ 30. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Secretary of State for War whether part of the delay in dealing with applications for war service grants to soldiers' families is due to the pressure of work at the offices of regimental paymasters; and whether he will, take steps to ensure that such applications are dealt with more expeditiously?
§ Mr. LawThe function of the regimental pay offices in these cases is merely to furnish or to check certain pay particulars for the Ministry of Pensions. I have no reason to think this causes any appreciable delay.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction with the fact that these people are kept waiting, frequently for months, in spite of representations made to the War Office by myself and other hon. Members?
§ Mr. LawI am informed that, in the great majority of cases, these matters are dealt with promptly and immediately, by the regimental paymasters. In cases of special difficulty there may be some delay, but I am afraid that such delay is unavoidable.