§ Mr. ALLEN PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for War what is the exact position of soldiers who re-enlisted after the War and were promised that the allowance to their dependants would be continued during their period of service; whether since the Order, which was issued in September last, allowances to parents have ceased for sons who are serving at home and abroad; and whether the allowance made by the Government can be paid to the soldier if he is expected to forward the allowance direct to his dependants?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe dependants of soldiers who re-enlisted with a promise that dependants' allowance would be continued still draw that allowance (which is issued to the dependants direct by the Army Authorities), provided that the soldiers are in receipt of the rates of pay in force when they re-enlisted. If the soldiers elected to draw the increased rates introduced by Army Order 325 of 1919, they surrendered their right to dependants' allowance, and were informed of this before they made their choice. The Army Order of September, 1921, did not in any way affect the continuance or method of issue of dependants' allowances, but merely laid down that in cases where no Government allowance is in issue to the wife or dependant of a soldier serving at home a voluntary allotment could not be made through official channels, but must be made by the soldier direct. That is to say, the Army Order concerns simply the machinery for issue of voluntary allotments, and not in any way the entitlement to or method of issue of any Government allowance.