I oppose this section because I am afraid there may be some harshness in it. The section says :—
Where any question arises as to—
(a) whether any pay, allowance, gratuity or grant is due, or
(b) the amount of any pay, allowance, gratuity or grant due, or
(c) whether a forfeiture or deduction falls to be made of or from any pay, allowance, gratuity or grant, or
(d) the amount of a forfeiture or deduction to be made of or from any pay, allowance, gratuity or grant due,
the pay, allowance, gratuity or grant may be withheld, in whole or in part, pending the determination of that question.
That is a section that could operate very harshly and might leave the wife or children in circumstances of near-destitution. I have not been able to suggest what additional safeguards might be put in, but I ask the Minister to look into it to see if any safeguards can be put into the section, to prevent its harsh operation.
