§ 10. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Secretary of State for War why the sum allocated to National Service grants for 1959–60 is so much greater than the estimate for 1958–59.
§ Mr. SoamesAs hon. Members know, the age of call-up for National Service is being allowed to rise. Because the recruits are older more of them are married and in general they have in civil life heavier obligations than was previously the case. We are making allowance for this by providing for more and larger National Service grants in the coming financial year.
§ Mr. ChetwyndBut has there been any improvement in the actual scale of the National Service grants? If so, can they be made retrospective to apply to those already made?
§ Mr. SoamesNo, Sir. Each National Service grant is considered on its merits. We have to take account of the fact that over the past three years the number of grants has risen from 7,000 to 9,600 and the average annual amount of individual grants from £80 to £105.