HC Deb 27 November 1916 vol 88 cc41-2W
Sir WILLIAM BEALE

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the paymaster at Perth has come to a right decision in refusing to Mrs. Walker, of Troon, Ayrshire, a dependant's allowance of 1s. 6d. a week, which he admits to have been granted to her in respect of her son, Private A. Walker, No. 23437, Cameron Highlanders, who has just attained the age of nineteen years and joined the Forces, unless she will give up 2s. a week, part of the separation allowance awarded to her on the enlistment of her husband and hitherto received in respect of three other children, aged respectively fourteen, eight, and four-and-a-half years; and, if so, on what principle is the fact that a mother has other children to support made a reason for withholding or diminishing the dependant's allowance which, if she had no other children, she would have received in respect of the contribution which her son was making towards her and their support before and at the time of his enlistment?

Mr. FORSTER

The Regulation bearing on this case is as follows: "No person who is drawing separation allowance as the wife or child of a soldier …can draw separation allowance as a dependant in addition, but the child of a soldier is not precluded, if otherwise eligible, from drawing separation allowance as the dependant of a soldier brother, or brothers, who contributed to the support of the household,

Period, etc. Quantities. Values.
(a) Linen Manufactures exported— £
Annual average, 1904–13 Cannot be given owing to varying units in use. 7,255,332
1915—January to December 7,132.831
1916—January to October 7,943,893
(b) Linen Tarns exported— Lbs. av.
Annual average, 1904–13 16,065,700 1,083,921
1915—January to December 6,416,800 535,680
1916—January to October 7,971,000 892,428

in lieu of a child's allowance in respect of the father or if not eligible for such allowance (e.g., if over sixteen)." Consequently the Paymaster's decision is correct, and the last part of the question does not arise.