HC Deb 26 February 1941 vol 369 cc538-9W
Sir R. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when a soldier with the sanction of his commanding officer and approval of the circumstances by the regimental paymaster, has instituted divorce proceedings, the wife in the meantime, having taken no proceedings for maintenance or secured a court order, and an order in the proceedings is made against him for alimony pendente lite the marriage allowance to the wife is reinstituted during the currency of the order on condition that the soldier makes the qualifying allotment?

Captain Margesson

No, Sir. Family allowance is not issuable in such circumstances.

Sir R. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a serving soldier wishing to institute divorce proceedings, whose case is put forward to the regimental paymaster by his commanding officer, supported by a certificate from a practising solicitor that the soldier seems to have a good prima facie case, can be given by the regimental paymaster, as an advance, such sum not exceeding £5 as may be necessary to institute the proceedings under the Poor Persons Rules?

Captain Margesson

No, Sir. I can see no good reason for such a course.