HC Deb 08 April 1971 vol 815 cc241-2W
22. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will review the regulations which require money sent by postal order from this country to Service wives overseas, and the payment of family allowances and new baby bonuses, to be payable to the husband; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lambton

First of all, regarding postal orders, Service rules about sending money overseas are based on the normal Exchange Control regulations and cannot be reviewed in isolation. Secondly, with regard to the Overseas Family Allowance, this is drawn by Service men with their pay or, if a Service man and his wife are in different places overseas, he can arrange for the money to be paid to her. It would be administratively impracticable to issue Service wives with the equivalent of the Family Allowance order books they would have in this country and to set up facilities for cashing the orders in the various overseas stations.

Lastly, Maternity Grant is payable direct to the wife unless she authorises her husband to receive payment on her behalf. Maternity Allowance ceases to be payable when a wife goes abroad, but my Department, in consultation with the Department of Health and Social Security, may authorise ex-gratia payments to the wife where she satisfies the contribution conditions.