§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Pensions whether a chief area office is forbidden to pay any allowance to or in respect of the separated wife or children of a man who is undergoing treatment; and what steps are taken to ensure that the wife and children are not left destitute while the man is incapacitated from work and unable to obey any court order for maintenance should the same be in force?
§ Major TRYONThe purpose of treatment allowances is to enable the man to continue to maintain his home whilst he is undergoing a course of treatment which prevents him from working. Accordingly, when a man is living apart from his family, they are not normally eligible for the grant of treatment allowances. The ordinary allowances in payment to the wife continue at the same rate as before treatment commenced, and if there is a maintenance order for a greater sum the treatment allowance paid to the man himself should assist him in meeting it. Where it is shown to be insufficient for this purpose and hardship arises, I should be prepared to consider the case on its merits.