HC Deb 01 February 1918 vol 101 cc1939-40W
Colonel LESLIE WILSON

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that if a man stops his allotment separation allowance for a wife also ceases, instructions will be issued that, when an allotment for a wife is once declared, no man shall be allowed to stop the same until he has obtained documentary evidence, vouched for by responsible persons, that he has good reason for the cessation of his allotment, and so prevent wives being left destitute by allotments being stopped for quite inadequate reasons?

Dr. MACNAMARA

It is not within the power of the Admiralty to issue any such instructions. I may, however, state for the information of my hon. and gallant Friend that in practice no man stops his allotment to his wife without the approval of his commanding officer, and that within the experience of the Department such approval is not given in the absence of good reason. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any individual case in mind, I shall be glad to receive particulars of it.

Mr. BROOKES

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the usual or any gratuity is payable to the dependants or relatives of Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officers attached to the Royal Marines who may fall at the front; and, if not, whether he can establish a system of awards placing these officers on a similar basis to Territorial officers in the Regular Army?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to the gra- tuities which, under Article 497 of the. Royal Warrant for the Pay of the Army, are payable to Territorial Officers under certain conditions on the termination of their service during the War, or to the estates of such of them as may die during their service; if so, I may say that there is no authority to pay any similar gratuities to officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve or to temporary officers of the Royal Marines or to their estates in the event of their death on service. I ought to remind my hon. Friend that in the event of disablement on war service, or in the event of death, such officers, their widows, children, and other dependent relatives, are, of course, eligible for awards of pension or gratuity on the scales and subject to the conditions applicable to officers of relative rank in the Navy and. Army generally.