HC Deb 22 June 1943 vol 390 cc987-8
27. Mr. John Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the hardship caused to men ordered to billet out when their fuel and light allowance is stopped regardless of the fact that no reduction is made in the rent they are called upon to pay; and whether he will restore such allowance in these cases?

Mr. A. Henderson

I assume my hon. Friend refers to men who in the absence of public accommodation at their duty station are given lodging, fuel and light allowances. Such men while on leave, in hospital or on temporary duty elsewhere continue to receive lodging allowance in order to pay for a lodging they have to retain and pay for. This does not apply to fuel and light, and unless they are entitled to fuel and light allowances at a temporary duty station they are not paid these allowances

Mr. Dugdale

Would my hon. and learned Friend answer more particularly my Question which is concerned with those people who are ordered, not on leave but while on duty, to billet out and who do not find any reduction in their expenses during the summer but do in fact lose this allowance?

Mr. Henderson

I am afraid that my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. A soldier ordered to billet out and find his own accommodation does receive the allowance to which my hon. Friend refers in his Question. It is only when he is absent from that billet that he forfeits the fuel and light allowance. The way the matter should be dealt with would be for the landlord to take into consideration the saving of fuel and light when the soldier is not there.

Mr. Dugdale

Might I send all the necessary particulars to my hon. and learned Friend?

Mr. Henderson

Certainly, Sir.