§ Mr. Kennedyasked the Lord Advocate whether he can now indicate the result of his consultations with the Secretary of State for War on the subject of arrears of rent accruing in municipally-owned houses occupied by the dependants of service men; and whether he has considered the suggestion of the Scottish municipal authorities that a definite rent allowance should be granted to all serving men who are householders, based on the rent of the houses occupied, as an alternative to approaches by the men concerned to the Special Allowance Advisory Committee?
§ Mr. StanleyI have been asked to reply. It has already been explained that the allowances granted to wives and dependants of serving men are intended to assist them in meeting liability for rent among other expenses, and that the allowances can be supplemented by grants paid by the Ministry of Pensions on the recommendation of the War Service Grants Advisory Committee in particular cases where the normal allowances are not sufficient to enable liabilities to be met without serious hardship. These arrangements were the result of the fullest consideration, and I am satisfied that they are the most suitable means of providing for the various circumstances which arise.