§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the decision given in the Oxford County Court to the effect that money which a wife has saved from housekeeping can be claimed by her husband; and whether he will take steps to amend a law which denies a working wife's right to a share of the family income?
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§ Mr. Leachasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of Judge Hurst, at Oxford County Court, on 3rd May, that money saved by a wife from her housekeeping allowance belongs to the husband, notwithstanding universal family practice based on a contrary belief; and will he consider the introduction of a short Bill to remedy the position?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have only seen a newspaper reference to this case. The conclusion seems to depend largely on the nature of the arrangements made between the wage-earner and his wife. I am afraid that it is not possible to undertake in existing circumstances the complicated task of altering the law on this subject.
Mr. Boyeeasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the recent decision of the Oxford County Court, when a plaintiff succeeded in a claim for £103 standing to his wife's credit in the local co-operative society, on the ground that this sum had been saved from the housekeeping money; and whether he will consider introducing legislation, at an early date, to amend the Married Women's Property Act, 1882, in order to prevent a recurrence of this injustice?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Fulham (Dr. Edith Summerskill) and the hon. Member for Central Bradford (Mr. Leach).