§ 49. Mr. R. J. Taylorasked the Prime Minister whether, in reviewing war service grants of the wives and dependants of Navy, Army and R.A.F. personnel who become entitled to the increases set forth in Cmd. Paper 6553, steps will be taken to ensure they are not subject to a decrease of income for the maintenance of their homes because of the increase granted themselves for the special service they are rendering.
§ The Minister of Pensions (Sir Walter Womersley)I have been asked to reply. War Service Grants are calculated on the assumption that where a man's service pay exceeds 5s. 6d. a day, he will contribute to the support of his family four-sevenths of the excess over that amount, retaining three-sevenths for his personal use. I am arranging as far as possible that every man should have reasonable time to adjust his allotment before reduction of the war service grant is considered.
§ Mr. TaylorDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it is misleading to say that men with long service, especially those in the Far East, have received the recent increases, when four-sevenths are taken into account where war service grants are being made and wives and dependants have no increase?
§ Sir W. WomersleyNo, it was made clear in paragraph 9 of the White Paper; and in civil life when a man receives an increase in wages one expects him at any rate to allow a certain proportion for extra comforts for his wife and family. That is what we are dealing with in this matter.