asked the Minister for Defence whether he will state the reasons for refusing to pay Separation Allowance to the wife of Volunteer Robert Harrison (No. 65664), D Company, 3rd Battalion, Gough Barracks, Curragh Camp; whether he is aware that, on request, in November, 1926, marriage and baby's birth certificates were forwarded to the Secretary, Pay Office, Portobello Barracks, who replied, stating that separation allowance would be paid on re-attestation after his two years' service; that on re-attestation, about last May, a further application was made without result, and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to payment.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SOLDIER'S CLAIM TO MARRIAGE ALLOWANCE.
Marriage allowance has not been paid to Mrs. Harrison because, until the 19th May last, her husband was ineligible for inclusion on the Marriage Allowance Register for his Unit, for the reason that he had not completed the two years' continuous military service prescribed by the Regulations before the allowance may be issued.
The Regulations also prescribe that the allowance will be paid only in respect of a fixed percentage of the privates in an infantry battalion. The number of men in Private Harrison's unit in respect of whom the allowance has already been issued, since and prior to the 19th May, completed the quota allowed for that unit. When the number on the register will have fallen below the percentage prescribed, Mrs. Harrison's claim will receive due consideration. She was so informed on the 10th ultimo.