§ LORD SOUTHWARKMy Lords, I rise to ask the Paymaster-General whether separation allowances are continued to the wives of all sailors and soldiers who are in prisons or detention barracks under 67 sentence by Courts-Martial; and, if so, to whom are they to apply in cases where the payment of these allowances is delayed or discontinued. As treasurer of a Prisoners' Aid Society my attention has been drawn to cases of alleged hardship with regard to the supposed non-payment of these allowances, and I ask the Question as much in the interests of the recipients as in the interests of the benevolent public.
§ LORD NEWTONMy Lords, the answer to the noble Lord is that in the circumstances mentioned separation allowances are always paid so long as the soldier or sailor in question remains in the Service; 68 and in case of any delay the applicant has only to make inquiry of the officer by whom the last payment was made.
§ LORD SOUTHWARKI have heard—and there may be some justice in it—that the wife of a deserter receives no allowance. Can the noble Lord say whether that is so?
§ LORD NEWTONI cannot answer offhand, but I will make inquiry.
§ House adjourned at five minutes past Six o'clock, to Monday next, a quarter before Eleven o'clock.