HC Deb 18 March 1947 vol 435 cc178-9
27. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for War the reasons why married officers under 25 years of age are only to receive married allowance at approximately half the present rate; and why they are to be denied other married benefits.

Mr. Bellenger

As stated in paragraph 35 of the White Paper which explained the Post-War Code of Pay and Allowances (Cmd. 6750), the lower age limit of 25 years was selected as the qualifying age for officers' marriage allowance (and other married benefits) as being about the normal age of marriage for comparable young men in other occupations, and in view of the fact that it is desirable in the interests of the Service that an officer shall be free of family commitments during his first five years or so.

Married other ranks under the age of 25 who have been given commissions have, however, been allowed to retain the rate of marriage allowance which they had received while in the ranks. When it was recently decided to give marriage allowance to all officers under 25, it was considered that, if they were given the highest rate which a married other rank can receive, that is, 45s. a week, they would be in at least as good a position financially as other young men married at such ages. Therefore it was not considered necessary or appropriate to give them the rates of marriage allowance and the other married benefits for which officers over the age of 25 are eligible.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is it not a fact that this allowance is a mere compromise between one view point and the other and does justice to neither?

Mr. Bellenger

There was an anomaly before we put this right, as the hon. Gentleman will know, and I am afraid that sometimes when anomalies are put right it involves compromise.

Mr. Lipson

Can the Minister say how many officers are affected by this regulation, and is he not aware that he is penalising not only the officer but his wife and children?

Mr. Bellenger

I cannot say offhand, but I might remind the hon. Gentleman that those officers who were on the old code before June, 1946, providing they have given continuous service, will be retained on the old code rates.