HC Deb 18 May 1915 vol 71 cc2155-6W
Sir J. D. REES

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, whilst allowances to the families of married men date back from the time of allotment, the allowances of the dependants of unmarried men are only made after a lapse of several weeks for inquiries, and are not dated back, although the soldier has been contributing his proportion in the meantime; and, if so, whether the authorities will remove this inequality of treatment?

Mr. BAKER

The allowances to the dependants of unmarried soldiers are not delayed in the manner suggested. They commence as from the date of enlistment if application is made within ten days. Otherwise they commence as from the date of application.

Mr. MORRELL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, seeing that it was announced last November that the Government had decided to amend and increase the pensions and allowances payable to disabled soldiers, and a new rate of payment was then published, he will say whether this altered rate has yet been put into operation; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay?

Mr. BAKER

The rates published in November were not operative. They were reconsidered and increased by the Select Committee, and various details had to be worked out after that Committee reported. The new regulations will now appear immediately.

Mr. MORRELL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the hardship, that is frequently caused by the present method of calculating the allotment payable to the parents of soldiers on active service in those cases where the soldier at the time of his enlistment was either working as an apprentice or was receiving a wage which was very shortly to be increased if the man had remained in civil employment; and whether, in such cases, the Government could provide that the allotment should be calculated upon a different basis, so that the parents of the soldier should be entitled to receive the same payment as they would now receive if he had enlisted at a slightly later date?

Mr. BAKER

This matter was fully considered by the Select Committee, and their decision was that the allowance should be based strictly upon the actual degree of dependence before enlistment. That decision is one which I cannot undertake to alter.