HC Deb 07 October 1941 vol 374 cc856-7W
Major Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the official pronouncement that a serving officer, prior to 1st January, 1942, who marries thereafter, will receive family lodging allowance at the old rates unless he himself has elected to the contrary before that date, he will so notify the Army Pay Department and all military formations for the purposes of circulation and action, as this information did not appear in the original statement?

Captain Margesson

Advance instructions have gone out to this effect to all Commands at home and abroad. In case there is any doubt I will see that the formal instructions remove it.

Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the anomalous and inequitable operation of the rent allowance to wives in the London postal area, and that it leads to considerable resentment, he will now reconsider the matter, with a view to making the allowance operative over a wider area?

Captain Margesson

The additional allowance granted in respect of the London Postal Area is of long standing and applied also in the last war. It is recognised that, in present circumstances, it is somewhat anomalous, but any extension of the area would equally present anomalies. The General arrangement is that, in the case of hardship arising from high rents which cannot be met from the normal family allowance, application for an additional allowance can be made to the War Service Grants Advisory Committee.