§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will authorise the payment of war gratuities immediately to all men and women already discharged from the Forces.
§ Sir J. AndersonAs indicated in my statement on 6th February and in the reply which I gave on 20th February to the hon. Member for Swindon (Sir W. Wakefield), the issue of war gratuities will not be made to those who have already been discharged from the Forces 703W until a start has been made with the issue of gratuities to those released in Class A. It should not, however, be very long after that date before it is possible to invite applications from those who have already been discharged.
§ Mr. Keelingasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how soon he expects to invite members of the Forces who have been honourably discharged to apply for their gratuities; and whether he is aware that the delay is defeating the Government's intention that these gratuities should aid the re-settlement of ex-Service officers and men in civil life.
§ Mr. PeakeI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher).
§ Mr. G. Hutchinsonasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to pay to the next-of-kin of soldiers killed in action the war gratuity to which the deceased soldier would have been entitled had he lived.
§ Sir J. GriggWhen an officer or man is killed and dies on service the war gratuity otherwise payable will not be withheld on that account. It will be paid to his legal beneficiary.