HC Deb 29 July 1918 vol 109 cc54-6W
Sir F. HALL

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Private J. Waters, No. CH/10314, Royal Marine Light Infantry, joined the Service in 1898, and made no allotment to his parents until the death of his father in 1916, when he made an allowance of 5s. a week to his widowed mother; that an application has been made for a dependant's allowance to the mother; if so, whether it has been granted; if not, whether the dependants of soldiers and sailors who were in the Service on the outbreak of hostilities are precluded from obtaining the allowance; if so, on what grounds; or, if this is not so, why has a refusal been made to granting an allowance to Mrs. Waters?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I have been asked to answer this question. Except in cases covered by the concession recently announced, the grant of separation allowance is contingent upon the existence before the War of dependency upon a seaman or marine who was in the Service at the outbreak of hostilities. Where dependency did exist, separation allowance is payable, and, in fact, is being paid in numerous cases. In the present case, as indicated in the question, the marine was not allotting to his parents before the War, and after investigation by the local pension authorities, it was decided that pre-war dependency did not exist: separation allowance could not therefore be awarded to Mrs. Waters. To meet cases of this nature, funds have been placed at the disposal of the Special Grants Committee of the Ministry of Pensions, to be used where the application of the ordinary Regulations would cause hardship, and it is open to Mrs. Waters to approach the local war pensions committee who will, no doubt, consider whether a grant from these funds is justified.

Mr. PETO

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if it has been decided that a soldier who obtains leave in order to increase the food supply of the nation by cultivating his allotment or small holding has his military pay stopped for the period of his absence; whether the separation allowance to his wife or other dependants is stopped for a like period; and, if so, on what ground of equity it has been decided to stop the pay of these men when similar action is not taken with those who do not devote their leave to this purpose?

Mr. FORSTER

Men who are given special furlough for the purpose of cultivating their allotments do not draw pay for the period of absence, and any separation allowance is stopped. They receive ordinary paid leave in addition, on the same terms as other soldiers.

Sir F. HALL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, considering that the London allowance was designed to enable those who lived in London to meet the extra cost of living involved by residence there and that such allowance is withdrawn on removal from the London area, the allowance is claimable by the wives of soldiers who find it necessary to remove from the country to London and thereby have to bear these extra costs; if not, why this allowance should be refused; and whether he will take steps to have such alterations made in order that all dependants living in the London area should receive similar treatment?

Mr. FORSTER

I am afraid that I can find no ground for altering the present practice, which has been in force all through the War.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state, categorically, what are the respective allowances payable to a soldier and his wife possessing four children for billeting and separation allowances, the case of an ordinary soldier who is billeted near his military duties, and a soldier who is billeted at home under the terms of the consolidated family allowance?

Mr. FORSTER

If a private soldier is separated from his family his wife receives for herself and four children under the age of fourteen a separation allowance of 31s. a week; if living with his family the soldier would receive a family allowance of 38s. a week.