§ 27. Mr. Dayasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that serving soldiers under 26 years of age are not able to qualify for the grant of marriage allowance, he will consider introducing legislation for the purpose of reducing this age-limit in order that soldiers who marry under the regulation age of 26 years will be enabled to qualify for the allowance?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaMay I refer to the statement on this subject which I made on 14th March on the Report stage of Army Estimates?
§ Mr. DayAs many of the wives of these young soldiers have continually to apply to the public assistance committees, would the Minister do something to raise the age limit in regard to this allowance?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThat is the question to which I have endeavoured to give an answer.
§ Mr. TinkerCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us what was his reply on that occasion?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI could do so, if Mr. Speaker permitted me to repeat my speech, and if the House were prepared to listen to it. I said that the matter is now under investigation.
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThat is one of the matters which will be considered in the inquiry to which I have referred.
§ Mr. George GriffithsHas it not been investigated for the last five years, and is not the position still the same?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI dare say so, but the investigation now is more operative.