§ 37. Mr. Lipsonasked the Secretary of State for War when he will be able to relieve the anxiety of the wives of men under 21 years of age who have been called up or will be in the near future, with regard to the non-payment of marriage allowances, as the grants from the War Grants Committee are quite inadequate to enable them to meet household expenses.
§ Mr. BellengerI have at present nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 3rd December.
§ Mr. LipsonCan the right hon. Gentleman say what has held up a decision in this very urgent matter and who is the nigger in the woodpile—is it the Treasury?
§ Mr. BellengerI understand from my right hon. Friend that there are no niggers at the Treasury.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteIn any review which the right hon. Gentleman makes in this matter, will he bear in mind also the position of the wives of officers where an allowance is withheld if the husband is not 25 years of age?
§ Mr. BellengerYes, Sir. I have already made that review and I hope that it may be possible shortly to make a statement on the subject.
§ Mr. George WallaceHas the right hon. Gentleman's Department reached agreement on the matter in principle?
§ Mr. BellengerWe have certainly gone a good distance towards it.
§ Mr. A. LewisIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are many wives of serving soldiers under 21 who have now to pledge part of their homes in order to obtain the wherewithal to live?
§ Mr. Bellenger indicated dissent.
§ Mr. LewisThe right hon. Gentleman shakes his head, but I have proof in my own constituency. Is he further aware that the mass of the people of this country think that it is disgusting that a person who is called up should not have his liabilities met by the Government?
§ Mr. BellengerThe position is not quite as my hon. Friend presents it, but I agree that sympathetic consideration ought to be given to this matter and, indeed, it is being given.