asked the Minister for Defence if he will explain why, if the grant of children's allowances to Army officers was a new departure, there was previously in existence a form A.F.C. (revised 1950) on which officers were instructed to claim under D.F.R. S.3 (paragraph 47) such allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Officers: Children's Allowances.
23.
Prior to 1st April, 1950, married officers who were not provided with public quarters received, in addition to lodging, fuel and light allowance, an allowance at the rate of 6d. per day in respect of the fourth and each subsequent child under 16 years of age in the case of a boy and 18 years of age in the case of a girl. No allowance was granted in respect of any of the first three children.
When the new pay structure for officers was introduced on the 1st April, 1950, the lodging, fuel and light allowance was consolidated with regimental pay and the payment of the allowance of 6d. per day in respect of the fourth and each subsequent child was discontinued except in the case of those officers who were in receipt of the allowance on the 31st March, 1950. Children born on or after 1st April, 1950, did not, however, qualify for reckoning in connection with the payment. The claim for payment of the allowance had to be made on the form referred to by the Deputy. I may add that by January, 1964, there would be no children eligible for this allowance.
The children's allowance of £20 per annum granted recently to Army officers is payable in respect of each dependent child up to the age of 16 years or up to the age of 21 years if the child is in full-time attendance at school or is an invalid and incapable of self-support.