20. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that the pay and allowances of officers and men who are reported missing, but may be prisoners of war in the Far East, will be continued for a further period.
§ Sir J. GriggYes, Sir. I will, with permission, circulate a statement in the OFICIAL REPORT giving particulars of the arrangements which have been made since my hon. Friend asked a similar Question on 29th June, 1943.
§ Mr. Edgar GranvilleCan the right hon. Gentleman say for what period it will be continued?
§ Sir J. GriggI think that, broadly speaking, it continues in the cases mentioned up to the end of January, 1945.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Allowances and allotments to wives and dependants of those missing in the Far East will be continued for the following periods if the officer or man continues to be missing for so long, and the payees concerned have already been informed:
§ Malaya and Burma.—If missing before 1st November, 1942—Up to 147 weeks from the time the relatives were notified or to 31st January, 1945, whichever is the earlier.
§ Netherlands East Indies.—Where posted missing from 1st February, 1943—Up to 95 weeks from the time the relatives were notified or to 31st January, 1945, whichever is the earlier.
§ Burma and India.—If missing between 1st November, 1942, and 31st May, 1943—Up to 104 weeks from the time the relatives were notified or to 31st January, 1945, whichever is the earlier.
§ Burma and India.—If missing between 1st June, 1943, and 31st October, 1943—Up to 78 weeks from the time the relatives were notified or to 31st January, 1945, whichever is the earlier.
§ Burma and India.—If missing between 1st November, 1943, and 31st May, 1944—Up to 52 weeks from the time the relatives were notified or to 31st January, 1945, whichever is the earlier.
§ These cases and new cases arising after 31st May, 1944, will again be reviewed before the end of the year.