§ Sir I. Alberyasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, in many cases, applications by soldiers' wives for a supplementary Army allowance are still outstanding after three months; that the local Employment Exchanges are requested by the local assistance board to expedite these cases, but are unable to get co-operation in this from the War Grants Advisory Committee; and will he have urgent inquiry made into the matter?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI am aware that in a very small proportion of cases it has not been possible in the time indicated to obtain the full information required for the settlement of claims from, for example, Army pay offices, or from the applicants themselves or others. I am satisfied that the Assistance Board, and the Employment Exchanges where they are assisting the board, do everything in their power to expedite the necessary inquiries, but there are inevitably occasional delays from causes over which they have no control. With regard to the last part of the Question, special arrangements have been instituted to ensure that there is no avoidable delay on the part of the Committee or the staff dealing with the cases, and if the hon. Member has any evidence to support his suggestion of want of co-operation with the Committee in this matter I shall be very glad to look into it.