§ 20. Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for War the number of men serving in the Army whose wives are receiving public assistance, owing to the inability of their husbands to maintain them adequately out of Army pay?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaMen who marry below the age which renders them eligible for marriage allowance are not compelled to report the fact, and there is, therefore, no means of knowing the number of cases of this kind.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a large number of cases of this kind, and does he regard this fact as being desirable in the interests of the Army?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Minister is not called upon to give an opinion at Question Time on a matter of this kind.
§ Mr. ShinwellI will ask a question which does not evoke his opinion. I will ask him a question about the facts. If he is concerned about the reorganisation of the Army, will he regard this matter as being equally important?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI shall naturally pay attention to the views of the hon. Member, who is aware from his own experience at the War Office that there is a definite age at which soldiers are permitted to marry.