HC Deb 04 August 1942 vol 382 c837
28. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will be able to make any statement before the rising of the House for the Summer Recess regarding the payment, at least up to the end of December, 1942, of allowances to dependants of persons lost or missing in Malaya and Singapore?

Sir J. Grigg

Allowances at the present rates will be paid for 43 weeks from the dates on which relatives have been notified of a casualty, provided that the officer or soldier remains posted as missing during this time.

Mr. Stokes

I am afraid my arithmetic is not quick enough to understand that one. Does the Minister recollect that on 14th July he told the House that the allowances would be continued until 14th October? I want to ascertain that they will be continued, certainly until the end of the year, in view of the fact that Parliament is to rise and it is unfair to leave these people in any dubiety?

Sir J. Grigg

There is no dubiety about this Under the ordinary regulations the allowances are continued for 17 weeks after notification, and the period has now been extended by six whole months; that is perfectly clear.