HC Deb 14 October 1941 vol 374 cc1226-7
15. Sir Robert Young

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that E. M. Byrne, 420643c, Royal Signals, India, and P. Byrne, Royal Welch Fusiliers, each allotted their mother 7s. per week; that there are other six children attending school, yet the mother, anxious to help the war effort, accepted work at a factory of which he has been told with the result that the allowances have been stopped; why this has been done; and whether the money stopped is credited to the soldier sons?

Captain Margesson

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the withdrawal of dependants' allowance in this case. This allowance is designed to meet cases where hardship would be caused to de-pendants other than wives or children as a result of a man joining the Colours, and it would be inconsistent with the purpose of the allowance to grant it without reference to the dependants' income from other sources. When the present case was reviewed in the normal way in July last, it was found that the net weekly income of the dependant, the dependant's husband and other sub-dependants exceeded the limit allowed by the regulations and the allowance was accordingly withdrawn. The allowance included a contributory allotment of 7s. weekly from Private E. M. Byrne, which is now in issue as a voluntary allotment. In addition the other son, Private P. Byrne, is making a voluntary allotment of 7s. weekly from his pay. This was suspended for a short period in September, 1941, owing to his absence without leave, but has since been resumed.

Sir R. Young

Does the Minister realise that it is cases such as these which militate against women entering munition factories?

Forward to