§ 18. Rear-Admiral Morgan Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a statement on the question of separation allowance for men serving at sea.
§ Mr. MayhewI am aware of the interest of the hon. and gallant Member but I have no statement to make at present.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan GilesThe Minister knows that this is not the first whiff of grapeshot fired on this subject. Can he tell the House whether he has or has not got all the information he requires to make a decision of this kind?
§ Mr. MayhewI think that it is a question not of information but of decision, but I cannot make a statement now.
§ Mr. HayDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that it is not only my hon. and gallant Friend on this side of the House who is very interested in the subject? Might I urge him to review this matter with the urgency which is apparently being shown in some other fields?
§ Mr. MayhewI am aware of wide interest in this matter, but the hon. and gallant Member's whiff of grapeshot was the earliest and most effective.