HC Deb 17 March 1965 vol 708 cc285-7W
Mr. Snow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the fact that wives and dependants of Army absentees sentenced to prison automatically have their allowance reduced to nil and have to apply for National Assistance, he will consult the Chairman of the National Assistance Board for some

to disclose the price of equipment purchased by competitive tender. These computer are used mainly for research and development work and mathematical and statistical applications, and sometimes for technical training.

form of collaboration between his Department and the Board.

Mr. Mulley

The wife of a soldier who is absent is told by the Regimental Paymaster responsible that her husband has temporarily ceased to be entitled to pay and allowances for reasons known to him, and that if she requires financial assistance she should apply to the local office of the National Assistance Board. Any others in receipt of an allotment from the soldier are told that it is being stopped for reasons known to the soldier.

The procedure is well understood by the National Assistance Board and there is no reason to believe that the arrangements are in any way inadequate.