Oral Answers to Questions — British Army. – in the House of Commons at on 12 December 1939.
Mr Lewis Silkin
, Camberwell Peckham
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in cases where a soldier is awarded field punishment he forfeits not only his own pay but his allotment to his wife, often imposing serious hardship on the wife and family; and whether he will give consideration to any necessary alteration of the army Regulations so as to prevent the suffering of innocent persons?
Sir Victor Warrender
, Grantham
In such cases, the normal family allowance continues to be issued to the wife. If the period of forfeiture of pay is less than eight clays, the amount of the allotment also continues to be paid to the wife and is subsequently recovered from the soldier. An extension of the eight-day limit is being considered.
Mr Lewis Silkin
, Camberwell Peckham
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are a number of cases where a deduction has been made?
Sir Victor Warrender
, Grantham
The hon. Gentleman asks what the regulation is and I have given it.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
