§ 67. Mr. Hewlettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the compilation of the recently-issued White Paper on Pay and Allowances of the Armed Forces, inquiries were made both of members of the rank and file and of selected families as to whether the present system was regarded as working satisfactorily and proving adequate?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir. Inquiries of this kind would not have been relevant to the compilation of the White Paper, which does not attempt to prejudge the question of the adequacy of the present system or otherwise. The object of the White Paper is to provide certain material relevant to the formation of a judgment on that matter.
Miss RathboneCould the Chancellor get in touch with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association, which is in touch daily with hundreds of thousands of families of members of the Armed Forces, and which knows that the women with children are in many cases finding it almost impossible to make both ends meet?
§ Sir K. WoodThat is another matter. It does not arise out of this Question.
Mr. De la BèreIf it is another matter and an important matter, why not deal with that important matter?