§ Captain Medlicottasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the fact that a great deal of disappointment exists in relation to the comparative smallness of the supplementary allowances recommended by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee, and that this is borne out by the recent statement which shows that the average amount of the grants is less than 7s. 6d. per week; and can he give an assurance that the committee will be urged to recommend such allowances as will more assuredly relieve deserving applicants from hardship?
§ Sir W. WomersleyI think the hon. Member has drawn the wrong deduction from the figure that he quotes as the average amount of the grants made on the advice of the War Service Grants Committee. This figure indicates that the regulation allowances are adequate, or nearly adequate, to meet the reasonable commitments of the general body of Service men's families. My Committee exists to supplement these allowances in cases where serious hardship would otherwise exist, and I am satisfied that this is being done.