HC Deb 06 October 1942 vol 383 cc1048-9
2. Major Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that applications are constantly being made to public assistance committees for relief by dependants of serving men; and whether he will give sympathetic consideration to the question of meeting the needs of dependants of serving men wholly from Government sources?

Sir J. Grigg

There are over one million soldiers with dependants and their circumstances vary greatly. The regulations governing the issue of the allowances and grants for dependants cannot entirely cover every case. I am, however, satisfied that the present rates coupled with the machinery of the War Service Grants Committee in general meet their needs.

Major Lloyd

Does my right hon. Friend seek to justify the fact that the dependants of men serving in the Middle East and elsewhere are having to apply to public assistance committees for relief? Does he defend that position?

Sir J. Grigg

You cannot exclude cases of that sort arising in the case of dependants, but I think they are extremely rare.

Major Lloyd

Does my right hon. Friend consider that the charge for this relief is applicable to public assistance committees? Why should not the War Office take over?

Sir J. Grigg

That is another question. The machinery does, in general, operate to make these cases very rare indeed.

Mr. Mathers

Cannot it be made certain that War Service Grants will cover cases of this kind so as to prevent appeals to public assistance committees?

Sir J. Grigg

I was being ultra-cautious. I cannot imagine many cases arising which would not be covered by War Service Grants.