§ 29. Rear-Admiral Sir Murray Sueterasked the First Lord of the Admiralty Whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to marriage allowances for naval officers?
§ Mr. ShakespeareI am pleased to be able to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that the award of marriage allowance to officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines has been approved. I should be obliged if, for a more detailed announcement, he would await the Debate on the Navy Estimates later this week.
§ Lieut.-Commander AgnewCan the hon. Member give an assurance that the pay of no section of naval officers will be diminished—that there is no diminishment contemplated?
§ Mr. ShakespeareNo, Sir; but I think my hon. Friend had better wait for the full details next Thursday.
§ Commander MarsdenWill the statement make it clear that marriage allowances will continue even if an officer is on half-pay?
§ 30. Captain Peter Macdonaldasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has reached a decision regarding the question of marriage allowance for officers, warrant officers, and other ranks of the Royal Navy?
§ Mr. ShakespeareMy hon. and gallant Friend will be aware from the answer which I gave to the right hon. Member for the Hillsborough Division (Mr. Alexander) on Friday last that it has been decided substantially to increase the marriage allowance of Naval ratings. 17 With regard to marriage allowance for commissioned and warrant officers, perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will await the detailed announcement foreshadowed in the answer which I have just given.