§ 21. Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider reducing the qualifying age for marriage allowance to all ratings in His Majesty's Navy to the age of 21 and whether he will consider granting marriage allowances to all officers in His Majesty's Navy?
§ 22. Sir B. FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can make any statement as to marriage allowance for officers for the coming year?
§ Mr. AMMONThe age-limit rule for marriage allowance for men, which applies also to the Army and Air Force, was laid down after very careful consideration at the time of the introduction of this allowance in 1920, and I am not prepared to recommend any departure there from. As regards officers' marriage allowance. I am unable to say more than that the matter is under consideration.
§ Sir B. FALLEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the absence of this allowance presses very hardly on what may be called ranker officers?
§ Mr. AMMONThe whole of the facts are being taken into consideration. It is thought the age limit is placed most properly.
§ Sir B. FALLEIt is not a question of the age limit, but of the marriage allowance itself.