§ 17. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now in a position to state whether the Board of Admiralty have reached a decision regarding the award of marriage allowances to naval officers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Ammon)I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of yesterday (OFFICIAL REPORT, cols. 20–21) to the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. O. Lewis).
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs it not a fact that all this information has been before the Admiralty for a considerable time, a committee having been appointed in 1924, which was presided over by a distinguished admiral, and which reported in favour of the scheme?
§ Mr. AMMONAs I informed the hon. Member yesterday, in reply to a supplementary question, this matter is now before the Board of Admiralty, on which the officers are represented.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIs the Parliamentary Secretary in a position to state when we may expect a decision?