§ 16. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for War why the Government contribution to the special dependants' allowance held in credit for an officer or soldier whose family are resident outside the sterling area is lower than that normally paid to families residing within the sterling area?
§ Captain MargessonFamily lodging allowances and family allowances are issuable only to those who are making financial provision for the current maintenance of their families. The scheme of special separation grants was introduced to cover cases in which, owing to currency restrictions or the occupation by the enemy of the areas where the family resides, no remittances for current maintenance are admissible. The issue of these grants is a special concession intended to afford some measure of assistance to officers and men in meeting an abnormal situation and is, of course, entirely optional. This form of grant is therefore not comparable with the normal family allowance.
§ Mr. BellengerIn view of the substantial amounts that are required both from the officer and the man in order to get some far-distant benefit, can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say why they should make the normal contribution by way of allotment and receive a smaller Government allowance?
§ Captain MargessonI can only say that this is a special form of grant and is not really a family allowance, and, as I have said, it is entirely optional.
§ 17. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will amend the rules governing the issue of war proficiency pay so that the extra pay is granted automatically after six months' service unless the commanding officer certifies that a soldier is not proficient?
§ Captain MargessonNo, Sir. War-time proficiency pay is not in any sense an automatic entitlement, and it is considered desirable that before it is granted there should be a positive certificate from the soldier's commanding officer that he is in all respects a thoroughly trained and efficient soldier and is physically capable of performing the duties required of him in the arm of the Service to which he belongs.
§ Mr. BellengerDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that because of the absence of this certificate from commanding officers, particularly commanding officers serving in the Middle East, many men are deprived of this proficiency pay and their wives are suffering accordingly although they are fighting the battles out there?
§ Captain MargessonI hope very much that that is not so—
§ Mr. BellengerIt is so, and I have evidence.
§ Captain Margesson—because commanding officers' attention has been drawn from time to time to this question.