HC Deb 05 March 1918 vol 103 cc1855-7W
Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will have immediate inquiry made into the matter of the dependency allowance due to the father of Private H. Whewell, No. 21557, 68th Reserve Battalion, the claim having been submitted in July, 1917, and a number of letters having been written to the War Office on the subject without result?

Mr. MACPHERSON

This matter has been under investigation for an unusually long time, in consequence of serious discrepancies in the statements made at various times by those interested as to the amount this soldier contributed to the maintenance of his family. It has not been possible to admit his full claim, but an allowance of 5s. a week has now been assessed, and willhe paid at once.

Mr. T. C. TAYLOR

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that between 1,700 and 1,800 separation allowances are paid at the Farnworth, Lancashire, post office weekly; that the payments are made in a room on the second storey of the post office, entrance to which is gained along a back street, through a back yard, and up a staircase of twenty stone steps; that the staircase is steep and so narrow that it is with difficulty that one person can pass another on the staircase; that women with infants must either leave the children unattended in the yard or carry them up the staircase, and that elderly women have difficulty in climbing the stairs; whether he is aware that the Farnworth Urban District Council has waited upon the postmaster at Bolton and suggested an alternative arrangement, and that the only objection to the latter as that it would cost about 12s. per week; and whether he will take steps to give these relatives of our fighting men reasonable facilities for obtaining their allowances and remedy this grievance without further delay?

Mr. ILLINGWORTH

I personally informed the hon. Member recently that I had given this matter special consideration, and was satisfied that the accommodation at Farnworth for the payment of separation allowances is reasonably good. The room in which the payments are made is situated on the first floor of the office, and is easy of access. The steps are under cover. In no known case has any person had to wait except under cover. I still do not see any justification for expending public money on hiring other accommodation.