§ 5. Mr. Glenvil Hallasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the wife of Private R. H. Rhodes, No. 38919, East Lancashire Regiment, has had 14s. per week stopped from her allowance in consequence of his being absent without leave; and whether, as she has 1184 nine children, the youngest only two months old, payment of this 14s. can now be restored to her?
§ Captain MargessonWhen a soldier has absented himself without leave and the Army no longer has the use of his services, he naturally forfeits his claim to pay and allowances. In order to avoid bard-ship to his dependants, however, arrangements have been made for any payments which were being made to his dependants to continue for seven days and for the amount over-issued in this way to be recovered by reasonable instalments from future payments when the soldier rejoins. I am not aware of the circumstances of the case to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am having inquiries made and will communicate with him as soon as possible.