§ 77. Mr. OLDFIELDasked the Secretary of State for War on what principle the reductions in the rates of marriage allowance shown in this year's estimates have been based?
§ Mr. SHAWThe rates of marriage allowance are determined for each financial year by the official index figure for the cost-of-living on the preceding 1st January, and the reduction in these rates is due to a fall in that figure. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the regulations on the subject.
§ Mr. OLDFIELDIf it is a question of the cost-of-living figure, how can my right hon. Friend explain the fact that there is no drop in the cost-of-living for the wife and the third child and a drop of 1s. in the case of the first and second child?
§ Mr. SHAWI will look into the question, but I must not be taken as accepting my hon. Friend's statement.