HC Deb 02 February 1943 vol 386 cc733-4
21. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for War what action can be taken by wives of officers in cases where there is refusal to pay a court order for maintenance; and whether information will be supplied to enable a committal order to be made, so that justice may be enforced in such instances?

Sir J. Grigg

This question has recently been re-examined, and it has been decided to maintain the procedure outlined in the reply previously given to my hon. Friend. The wife may apply to the civil courts for redress. If she is unaware of her husband's address, the War Office will always furnish it on receipt of an assurance from a solicitor or other responsible person that it will be used solely for the purpose of serving legal process. Pay details will always be given to a court after service of a subpoena.

Mr. Mander

Will wives be given information in order to enable orders made by a court to be carried out? At the present time such information is being refused.

Sir J. Grigg

I do not understand the question. Perhaps the hon. Member will put it down.

Mr. Mander

I was merely asking for a reply to the Question on the Paper, namely, whether information will be given in order to enable an order made by a court to be carried out.

Sir J. Grigg

I said in the last sentence of my answer that pay details were given to the court after service of a subpoena.

Mr. Bellenger

Will the Army assist, as they do in the case of other ranks, in seeing that a court order is enforced by stoppages from the officer's pay?

Sir J. Grigg

No, Sir.