HC Deb 29 June 1943 vol 390 cc1441-3
5. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to remove the hardships inflicted on the wives and dependants of soldiers under open arrest?

Mr. A. Henderson

As the answer is necessarily rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate a state- issue the explanatory pamphlet that he promised, explaining these rates?

Mr. Henderson

The explanatory note I am proposing to issue merely sets out in detail a comparison between the old rates and the new rates, and I believe that that will give my hon. Friend all the information he desires.

Sir I. Albery

Did not my hon. and learned Friend promise the House that he would issue a pamphlet explaining in detail the alterations that are taking place?

Mr. Henderson

I have just informed the House that that is exactly what I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the tables:

ment in the OFFICIAL REPORT, explaining the changes recently made.

Mr. Edwards

Can my hon. and learned Friend say now that innocent people will no longer suffer for the mistakes of the men concerned?

Mr. Henderson

I think my hon. Friend will find the statement satisfactory.

Following is the statement:

Before 5th April, 1943, family allowance and allotments continued for the first 28 days of a period of detention, after which family allowance only remained in issue until release of the man from detention. Under the new procedure allotments continue, as before, for the first 28 days, after which any voluntary allotments cease and the qualifying allotment only continues in issue, in addition, of course, to family allowance. Under the old procedure the man's account was charged with the allotments, which continued for a period not exceeding 28 days, but he was able to secure a remission of up to 75 per cent. of any debt thus set up for good behaviour after finishing his term of detention. Under the new procedure the soldier's account is charged with the allotments for seven days only. Dependants' allowance already continues in full during detention and is not affected by the new decision, except that the soldier may receive a benefit under the allotment concession referred to above. This new procedure extends to cases where a soldier is sentenced to forfeiture of pay not involving detention and also to cases where a soldier is under compulsory stoppage of pay for the maintenance of his separated wife and/or family.