HC Deb 12 October 1943 vol 392 cc698-9
19. Mr. R. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that where a soldier has notified the Array authority that he arid his wife have become estranged and the wife's allowances have accordingly been stopped the wife before she is able to obtain a court order must deposit the necessary money to enable her husband to attend court, and that this, after the allowance has ceased, is causing many cases of hardship; and whether he is prepared to discontinue this procedure?

Sir J. Griģģ

The provision that a wife must deposit conduct money when bringing an action for maintenance against her husband who is a soldier, is enacted by Section 145 (3) of the Army Act. The provision is necessary to protect the soldier against the expense of attending court in cases where his wife has applied for a summons without sufficient cause. It is hoped however to complete arrangements at an early date by which wives will be assisted to find the conduct money in cases where they are unable to provide it themselves and they are considered to have a good prima facie case against the soldier.

Mr. Taylor

If I put a Question down in two weeks' time, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give me an assurance?

Sir J. Griģģ

The hon. Member need not put a Question down. He can take it that in a very short time arrangements will have been made of the nature that are referred to in the last part of my answer.

Miss Rathbone

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very old and a very real grievance and is part of a system which makes it far too easy for a man in the Armed Forces to desert his wife?

Sir J. Griģģ

I think the hon. Lady can be re-assured by the statement in the last part of the answer.

Mr. Taylor

Will this apply to young women who get into trouble?

Sir J. Griģģ

That is a different question. The hon. Member had better put it down.