HC Deb 21 November 1939 vol 353 cc1060-1W
Mr. Glenvil Hall

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will publish the data upon which it has now been decided that the allowances for the children of those serving in the armed forces shall be at the rate of 12s. for three and 27s. for eight, in view of the fact that, when the cost of living was appreciably lower, the allowances for evacuated children were fixed at 27s. 6d. for three and 70s. for eight; and whether the parents of the evacuated child of a serving soldier will be expected to pay the 6s. asked for by the Ministry of Health, irrespective of the fact that only a 3s. allowance has been given in respect of it?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

As has already been stated on various occasions, the allowances for evacuated children are not comparable with those provided for children under our family allowance scheme. The latter are not intended to cover the full cost of maintenance of the children concerned, but are in addition to the soldier's pay to assist him in this matter. Parents (whether soldiers or civilians) of evacuated children are required to contribute towards the cost to the Government of the maintenance of their children in the reception areas only so far as their means allow.