HC Deb 22 June 1943 vol 390 cc985-6
23. Mr. John Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to alter the rule forbidding married couples to serve in the same unit?

Mr. A. Henderson

The considerations which led to this instruction still hold good, and I regret that there is little prospect that it will be changed.

Mr. Dugdale

Why is the Army stricter in this matter than other branches of the Services?

Mr. Henderson

It is because, in the opinion of the military authorities, it is preferable to have the rule as it is to-day, namely, that a soldier and his wife may serve in the same locality, which, of course, does bring them closer to one another.

Mr. Stokes

Does that apply to the Secretary of State for War?

Mr. Bellenger

Would "serving in the same locality" permit a husband and wife on an "ack-ack" site to serve on two different gun sites although actually in the same unit?

Mr. Henderson

I would like to have notice of that Question.