HC Deb 07 November 1944 vol 404 cc1247-8
57. Mr. Chater

asked the Secretary of State for War why a discrimination is made in the matter of 3s. 6d. rent allowance made to wives of men serving in the Forces, as between those who were evacuated from London on account of flying bombs and those who evacuated on account of the aeroplane bombardment: and will he take steps to place both classes of evacuees upon a footing of equality.

Sir J. Grigg

I made it clear in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the North Division of East Ham (Lieut.-Colonel Mayhew) and my hon. Friend the Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on 1st August, that this concession was a special and purely temporary arrangement. The assumption underlying it is that a family evacuated in a hurry during the period of the flying bomb menace could not, at short notice, sub-let, store their furniture, etc., whereas families who left London earlier on account of aircraft bombardment, and who have not yet returned, are not likely to be in the same difficulty.

Mr. Chater

Is the Minister aware that there is no difference in the economic positions of the evacuees, and that the only difference is one of date?

Sir J. Grigg

That difference of date, which may amount to as much as four years, makes a very considerable difference.