§ 48. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Defence whether he will amend the regulations governing the issue of disturbance allowance to which Regular Service men are no longer entitled because manning difficulties prevent repatriation to the United Kingdom with at least six months to serve before release.
§ Mr. ShinwellDisturbance allowance is not payable when a man is posted to a new station for less than six months. This 476 rule is reasonable, simple and broadly fair. I regret that we could not contemplate the introduction of variations to meet special cases, such as the one to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the limited but deserving categories to which the Question refers are by no means unusual at the present time, and that those Service men who return to this country for the purpose of release after long periods of service abroad cannot possibly qualify for disturbance allowance under the present regulations?
§ Mr. ShinwellMy hon. and gallant Friend has in mind a special case. It is the exception rather than the rule.