§ 3. Mr. J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give instructions that wives shall be informed of the whereabouts of their ex-Service husbands when this is known in order that proceedings for maintenance or divorce may be instituted.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Geoffrey de Freitas)No, Sir, but the last recorded private address is disclosed to solicitors or officers of the court when it is required in connection with divorce or maintenance proceedings.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the situation which arose in a case which I drew to his notice recently where a warrant officer who has deserted his wife and is receiving a pension from the Air Ministry, cannot be reached by his wife owing to the attitude of the hon. Gentleman's Ministry?
§ Mr. de FreitasWe will always forward any letters to the addresses that we have for ex-airmen or ex-officers. It would be quite wrong to disclose to anybody facts which come to our knowledge through their service.