asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government is now prepared to make any allowance to widows whose sons are serving in the Forces on other conditions that the imposition of a means test?

I have already undertaken to review personally the whole of the provisions of the existing dependants' allowance scheme, and, until I have been able to complete that review, I cannot give any indication as to what, if any, alteration will be made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that widows often have difficulty in qualifying for any allowance at all in existing circumstances, and will he give special consideration to the case of some of them who earn a little money and seem to have lost all claims to any benefit at all?

Mr. J. J. Davidson:

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when his review of the situation will be completed?

I cannot say, but I recognise that this is a matter of great importance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman pay special attention to the case of widows with an only son?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider an automatic increase in the basic scale of allowances to correspond with every five-point increase in the cost of living?

As I have previously indicated, a review of the scale of Army allowances could only be undertaken as part of a general reconsideration of fixed payments of much wider application.

Is it likely to take place, in view of the fact that as prices rise the present allowances remain stable, and undoubtedly great hardship is felt by many dependants?

The hon. Gentleman will recollect that last month the figures showed very little rise indeed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least indicate whether some consideration will be given to this matter with a view to some arrangement of this character or a similar character being arrived at?

Naturally, the whole question of these payments is kept under review.