A Parliamentary Paper issued on Wednesday night contains the main lines of the scheme approved by the Government for allowances from the Navy and Army funds to dependents other than widows and children of sailors and soldiers whose deaths are due to the present war.
The following are the main provisions : — For a parent or parents wholly dependent on a sailor or soldier an allowance will be given not exceeding the amount of the ascertained dependence, or 10s., a week, whichever is the less amount, this to continue only so long as no other means of support, such as other children reaching full age, exist.
Other dependents incapable of supporting themselves: An allowance not exceeding the ascertained amount of dependence prior to joining the service, or 5s. weekly, whichever is less.
Able-bodied dependents: A gratuity or weekly allowance not exceeding a year’s pay of a soldier or sailor, or a year’s separation allowance and allotment, whichever be greater.
Women who have been entirely dependent upon a sailor or soldier for their maintenance, and who would otherwise be destitute, and who are able-bodied: A grant not exceeding a year’s separation allowance and allotment at the rate previously paid, to be given at the discretion of the Admiralty or War Office.
If there are no children, and the woman is wholly or partly incapable of supporting herself, an allowance of 5s. to 10s. weekly, in addition to usual allowances for children.
The circumstances in each case will be reviewed from time to time. This scheme provides only grants to be made from the Admiralty and the War Office, not those which may be made out of funds at the disposal of a body to be established by Parliament.
