HC Deb 28 March 1938 vol 333 c1628
54. Vice-Admiral Taylor

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the position of a married officer who has exercised his option to draw marriage allowance and children's allowance afloat if he receives a shore appointment where service quarters are provided for him?

Colonel Llewellin

If employed on shore in an appointment in which for service reasons he cannot live with his family an officer will continue to receive marriage and children's allowances if quarters are provided for him. If provided with quarters in which he can live with his family he will receive children's allowance only, but if married and childless he will doubtless exercise his option of serving under present conditions until his next promotion. It may make the position clear if I add that the rules for allocation of quarters are being revised so that single quarters will not be allocated to a married officer unless:—(a) his presence is required for service reasons, or (b) his appointment is temporary, or (c) he wishes for single quarters and some are vacant.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

While thanking my hon. and gallant Friend for that answer, will he tell me whether I am right in assuming that married officers receive marriage allowance for the simple and sole reason that they are married, and if that be so, why is it that they do not receive such marriage allowance when they are on half-pay?

Colonel Llewellin

That is quite a different question from the one on the Order Paper.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

If I put that specific question on the Order Paper, will my hon. and gallant Friend give me a reply?