§ Mr. N. Bowerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a certain number of married officers in receipt of separation allowances fail to pay the money over to their wives, who have no means of redress other than legal proceedings in a civil court; and whether, in order to obviate cases of hardship arising from that fact, he will revise the present system and cause these allowances to be paid direct to the wives as in the case of non-commissioned ranks?
§ Sir J. GriggMy hon. Friend's suggestion for changing the present system has been carefully considered but its adoption, particularly at this stage of the war, is impracticable and in most cases unnecessary. If it is reported to the War Office that an officer is providing insufficiently for his wife the complaint is brought to the notice of the husband. In the great majority of cases he arranges to pay her at least the amount of the family lodging allowance. In cases where it is not possible to communicate speedily with him payment can be made direct to the wife.