HC Deb 08 September 1942 vol 383 cc56-7W
Mr. Tinker

asked the Secretary of State for War the rates of pay of all ranks in the Army with those of other countries who are serving alongside our men in this country and in other theatres of war?

Sir J. Grigg

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 10th February, 1942.

Sir A. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has now been arrived at regarding the payment of allowances to officers and men whose families are in countries to which remittances cannot be made at present?

Sir J. Grigg

No, Sir. As I told my hon. and gallant Friend on 19th May I will let him know when I am in a position to give him an answer.

Mr. Muff

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will readjust the soldiers' pay warrant so that soldiers may nominate their wives as guardians of their children to receive the children's allowances even though the soldier and his wife may be estranged?

Sir J. Grigg

I am at present considering this question.

Mr. Muff

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for the marriage allowance to the wife of a soldier to be paid so long as the soldier remains liable to contribute to her maintenance, and adjust the administration of the Army Act, Section 145 (2), so as to avoid the necessity of going to the civil courts and the making of orders by the magistrates?

Sir J. Grigg

Various questions concerning the payment of allowances to separated or estranged wives are under consideration. I am not sure in which particular aspect my hon. Friend is interested and I shall be glad if he will communicate more fully with me, so that I can ensure that the point he has in mind is not overlooked.

Miss Ward

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to obviate hardships often arising through the calling-in of pay books, particularly when men are abroad, he will follow the practice of the Admiralty and see that each pay book holder is provided with a printed list of Government and voluntary organisations which can give advice and assistance?

Sir J. Grigg

An Army allowance book is only called in if entitlement to payment ceases. It already contains a double sided sheet of general instructions to the payee, and these must be kept reasonably short. I will, however, consider when the books are next re-printed inserting on the back cover a statement that wives and dependants can apply for advice to the Regimental Paymaster or to the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association, the Citizens' Advice Bureau, or the Assistance Board.

Mr. Pearson

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the qualifying conditions for the payment of field allowances to officers in the Army?

Sir J. Grigg

I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the relevant regulations and of an answer I gave on this subject to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich (Sir G. Shakespeare) on 30th June.

Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the recent White Paper on Pay and Allowances of the Armed Forces indicates that the average married private in the Army is worse off financially than the average industrial worker; and whether, in view of the hardship this involves to his, wife and family and the discontent this provokes among neighbours, he will consider raising the minimum value of the allowance of a soldier with wife, family or dependants to the equivalent of £5 per week?

Sir J. Grigg

I suggest that the hon. Member should await the Debate on Thursday.