§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he 1608W will consider an amendment to the Regulations to admit of the issue of separation allowance to the wife of a soldier who had obtained a maintenance order against her husband before his enlistment and who, because of his non-compliance with the order, would find great difficulty in obtaining a pension or special allowance in the event of the soldier's decease during his service?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI regret I am unable to adopt this suggestion. The Regulation in question was adopted after very full consideration and has been in force throughout the War. It does not, so far as I am aware, create any difficulty in regard to a claim for the pension which, under the Royal Warrant of the 17th April, 1918, is granted in cases where the soldier before enlistment did not contribute to the support of his wife.