§ 15, 16, and 17. Rear-Admiral ADAIR asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether the Report of Admiral Jerram's (Grand Fleet) Committee was considered before the marriage allowance, which was included in the sketch Estimates for 1922–23, was omitted;
§ (2) whether the children's allowance, of which married naval racers were deprived two years ago, will now be re-conceded as some compensation for the fact that the marriage allowance, which was included in the sketch Estimates for 1922–23, has now been omitted;
§ (3) whether the recommendations of Admiral Halsey's Committee in respect to Income Tax were given reconsideration before framing the Estimates for 1922–23, having regard to the omission of any children's allowance from the Estimates.
§ Mr. AMERYWith regard to Question 15, I presume the Committee referred to was the Grand Fleet Committee, presided over by Admiral Sir Henry Oliver, who is now a Member of the Board of Admiralty. 985 The answer is in the affirmative. I am afraid the answer to Question 16 must be in the negative. The Board were fully alive to the recommendations of the Halsey Committee regarding Income Tax when framing the sketch Estimate for 1922–23.
§ Rear-Admiral ADAIRAre we to understand that the Admiralty thought this a very necessary inclusion in the sketch Estimates, and that under pressure of the Treasury they have withdrawn it, and is not that a very false economy?
§ Mr. AMERYI must leave my hon. and gallant Friend to draw his own conclusions as to what is and what is not false economy.