§ 18. Mr. Bellengerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the improved allowances to wives of Naval men, as outlined in the recent White Paper, have not yet been issued.
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)It was stated in the White Paper that it might not be possible to bring the improved allowances into issue for some time. The delay has been due to the fact that the new scale of qualifying allotments is related to pay and not as hitherto to the man's rank. This change has led to considerable difficulty in applying the revised scheme. I hope that the new rates of allowances will be in issue before the end of the month and in the meantime I have made special arrangements to deal with any cases of hardship which come to the notice of my Department and the Naval depots.
§ Mr. BellengerWhile appreciating my right hon. Friend's difficulties, which are by no means limited to his Service, may I ask him how it is proposed to deal with cases of hardship, because many wives are expressing dissatisfaction at not receiving what they are entitled to get?
§ Mr. AlexanderA number of cases have been brought to our notice, and are being dealt with.