§ 30. Mr. Mathersasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the hardship and consequent discontent arising out of the lack of provision of allowances to naval ratings under 25 years of age who are married or have dependent relatives; and whether he will give this question his sympathetic consideration?
Mr. CooperAs I stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for North Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on 8th December last, the special difficulties of men serving in the Navy who have married under the qualifying age for marriage allowance, 25, have always been realised. The Admiralty have arranged that cases of real distress will be assisted by the Admiralty family welfare sections at the home ports, if necessary with the help of the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust.
§ Mr. MathersCannot the right hon. Gentleman as head of the senior service 1109 make an advance upon that position, which is causing great hardship in many cases? Surely in these times of trying to improve service conditions, something better could be done?
Mr. CooperThe hon. Member is aware that this is a question which concerns all the services, and it would not be possible for one service to act separately.
§ Mr. MathersThat is why I am asking the right hon. Gentleman to recognise that he is the head of the senior service.
§ Mr. Robert Gibson rose——
§ Mr. SpeakerI must remind hon. Members that we have a large number of questions on the Paper.