HC Deb 16 November 1939 vol 353 c867W
Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the numerous cases of hardship caused to wives and dependants of men who are on service abroad in their struggle to maintain payments of the rent of the council houses which they occupy, amounting in some cases to 12s. a week out of a total allowance, in the case of a wife and four children, of 27s. 6d.; that the local authorities, however sympathetic, are unable to make reductions, which would cause further demands upon other ratepayers; and what action he is taking in the matter?

Mr. Elliot

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War stated on Tuesday, dependants' allowances are to be increased, and the powers of the Military Service (Special Allowances) Advisory Committee to grant financial assistance where the normal allowances are not sufficient to prevent hardship, are to be enlarged. I have no reason to think that any action on my part is called for in connection with the rents of council houses, the fixing of which is vested by statute in the local authority concerned.

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