HC Deb 28 May 1940 vol 361 cc394-6
13. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Finance Committee of the Fife County Council have reported on the inability of dependants of soldiers to pay rent, and in view of the difficulties being experienced by this and other councils, will he reconsider the question of a general rent allowance for all dependants, and thus relieve the local authorities of their grave financial burden?

Mr. Law

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

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister not prepared to give new consideration to this question, in view of the fact that many councils are faced with a problem of either evicting dependants of men who are serving or just leaving the situation where nobody pays any rent? That is the problem with which they are being faced and it can only be met by the Government making a general grant.

Mr. Law

All such cases come before the War Service Grants Advisory Committee, and I do not think there is any evidence to show that the Committee is functioning unsatisfactorily or in such a way as to cause hardship.

Mr. Gallacher

Would the Minister approve if any local authority evicted a dependant of a soldier who was unable to pay rent?

Mr. Speaker

That is a different question.

14. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered a resolution from the Lochore branch of the British Legion demanding that all mothers of serving soldiers shall be paid an allowance irrespective of their family income; and whether he is pre pared to introduce the necessary measure for that purpose?

Mr. Law

The dependants' allowance scheme is designed to meet cases in which hardship arises as the result of the inability of men who have joined the Colours for service during the war to continue the provision they had been making in civil life for the maintenance of those dependent upon them. It would not be in accordance with the underlying basis of this allowance to provide for the grant of allowances to soldiers' mothers without regard to their family income.

Mr. Gallacher

In cases during the last war there was a flat rate of 5s. Could not the Government make a flat rate of 5s. and increase allowances on top of that?

Mr. Law

Cases of that kind can be, and are being, dealt with by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee.

Mr. J. J. Davidson

Would the Minister keep in mind that a flat-rate rent allowance would obviate suffering when a soldier has committed some offence for which his pay is stopped?

31. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution unanimously passed at the Bournemouth Labour Party Conference, a copy of which has been sent to him, respecting State responsibility for the domestic obligations of serving men and the necessity of adjusting their allowances according to each five points rise in the official cost of living figures; and whether he intends to take any action respecting recommendations in that resolution?

Mr. Law

I have seen the resolution referred to. On the general question which it raises, I would point out that the War Service Grants Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Pensions was set up for the express purpose of adjusting allowances to need in cases of hardship where, owing to their service, men in the Forces are unable to meet their obligations from their pay and the normal allowances. On the question of variation for cost of living, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on Tuesday last.

Mr. Sorensen

While thanking the hon. Member for his answer, may I ask whether the principles contained in the last sentence of my Question will be considered at an early date by the heads of the fighting Forces?

Mr. Law

I can assure the hon. Member that these questions are continually before the heads of the Departments, and although I cannot promise him that they will be reviewed immediately, because they have been reviewed in quite recent days, representations which he or any other hon. Member makes will be considered.