HC Deb 05 November 1930 vol 244 c838
20. Mr. DAY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the date of the last occasion on which the marriage allowance payable to married ratings was reviewed; and whether he is prepared to recommend any further alteration?

Mr. ALEXANDER

The marriage allowance system is constantly under review. The last alteration was the extension of payment in October, 1929, to statutorily adopted children. I am not aware of any alteration that ought to be made at the present time.

Mr. DAY

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question as to when the allowance was last reviewed and whether he himself will give the matter consideration?

Mr. ALEXANDER

I have said that it was last reviewed in 1929.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Did not the Financial Secretary inform the House that a committee had been appointed to inquire into this matter again; and have I not, repeatedly, asked when that committee was going to report and been told that it had not yet completed its inquiries?

Mr. ALEXANDER

I am not quite sure whether the hon. Member has read the question or not. It refers to married ratings.