§ 32. Mr. Marloweasked the Minister of Pensions under what authority payment of War Service Grant to the wives of Servicemen under 21 years of age is limited to cases of pregnancy, unfitness for employment by reason of ill-health or the case of infirm relatives; and whether, in view of the fact that these wives receive no marriage allowance, he will extend the ambit of such grants to include cases of need or hardship arising from other causes.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopFrom the inception of the War Service Grants Scheme in 1939, assistance to a childless wife has been given in cases where the circumstances are as set out by the hon. Member or in other cases of hardship in which the wife is prevented from taking up employment. The conditions for a grant are the same, irrespective of the age of the husband.
§ Mr. MarloweDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that this position cannot possibly be allowed to continue? Is he aware that the Service Departments ride off their responsibility by saying that war service grants can be granted by the Minister of Pensions and that the Minister refuses to grant them unless the wife comes within these particular categories?
§ Mr. BlenkinsopI would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Debate which took place on the Adjournment last night, when the Secretary of State for War made a statement.