§ 21. Mr. G. P. Stevensasked the Secretary of State for War if he will so amend King's Regulations that the wife of a soldier who marries after the age of 21 and is commissioned before the age of 25 will be eligible to travel with her husband at public expense in the event of his being posted overseas.
§ Mr. StracheyNo financial inducement is given to an officer to marry under the age of 25. If he does so, he receives the rate of marriage allowance appropriate to a warrant officer, but no other married benefits. If a married soldier is appointed to a commission below the age of 25, I think it is equitable that he should be required to conform to the rules which apply to officers generally in the circumstances which the hon. Member has in mind.
§ Mr. StevensWill not the loss of that privilege act as a disincentive to a keen soldier obtaining commissioned rank?
§ Mr. StracheyThat is a wider question—whether the inducements to marriage, if we can call them so, should apply to officers under 25. That has been very carefully considered and the age limit of 25 has been chosen.