§ 18. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether seeing that the reasons for which a sum of money was allocated for marriage allowance in the Navy Estimates, 1925, are as urgent to-day, he contemplates restoring this sum in the next Navy Estimates in order that officers may be provided with marriage allowance?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI would refer the hon. Member to the replies of 23rd November, and 21st December last (OFFICIAL REPORT, Columns 1772–3 and Column 429) to the hon. Members for North Portsmouth (Sir B. Falle), and Basingstoke (Sir A. Holbrook).
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHADoes not the right hon. Gentleman admit that the reasons for granting this allowance are as urgent to-day as when the Admiralty decided to make them?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIf the hon. Member will only read the answer I have given, he will understand that we are bound by the decision announced by the Prime Minister, I think, in August, 1925.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhy do not the Admiralty look after their own people better?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThis is not purely a Labour Department. The Government have to make decisions for all Departments.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes it never occur to the Tory Government that they should make allowances for the working-class generally?