HC Deb 29 June 1939 vol 349 cc646-7W
Mr. S. O. Davies

asked the Minister of Labour whether he, in conjunction with the other appropriate Government Departments, intends to establish local committees to assist the Military Service (Special Allowance) Advisory Committee in dealing with applications for special monetary assistance?

Sir V. Warrender

I have been asked to reply. Claims will be dealt with centrally, but machinery has been set up for any local investigation that may be necessary.

Captain Plugge

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information to indicate the number or percentage of militiamen who will take advantage of the draft Order in Council recently approved by the House?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

No, Sir.

Mr. McEntee

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the decision that men called to the colours under the Military Training Act are to be allowed to retain their membership of their appropriate trade unions, will also apply to civil servants who are given permission by the Department which employs them to accept appointments in such capacities as permanent staff instructors in the Territorial Army for a period of three years, or the period of the emergency whichever is the less?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Goldie

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any, and, if so, what allowances will be paid to men called up for Militia training who, apart from widows' pensions, are the sole support of their widowed mothers?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the White Paper (Cmd. 6043) on this subject which was recently issued.

Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for War upon what basis compensa- tion will be paid to the dependants of a militiaman in the event of his being fatally injured in the course of his service; whether such compensation will be assessed upon the loss sustained by the dependants in being deprived of his pre-service earnings and if the loss of prospectively increased earnings will be taken into account?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

In the event of a militiaman dying from causes attributable to his service, his dependants will be eligible for pensions at the rates and under the conditions applicable to the dependants of soldiers of all branches of the Army. These pensions are assessed independently of the loss sustained by the dependants in being deprived of pre-service earnings, and of the loss of prospectively increased earnings.

Mr. J. Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any special steps will be taken to remedy admitted physical defects in militiamen, accepted for other grades than grade I, while undergoing their period of military service?

Sir V. Warrender

Medical and surgical treatment will be available as for regular soldiers. Minor physical defects will be noted on medical examination, and by staff instructors in physical training. Those requiring remedial treatment by physical training methods will be divided into groups according to their defects, and remedial treatment will be carried out under the supervision of staff instructors.