HC Deb 21 July 1965 vol 716 cc1571-2
31. Sir B. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is aware that married men who are under the age of twenty-one are not permitted to have married quarters while serving with the Army in Malta, nor are they permitted grants for free travel for their wives and families to join them; and if he will issue orders that this age discrimination should be discontinued, and that married men of any age should be entitled to apply for married quarters.

Mr. Mulley

Married officers under the age of 25, and soldiers under 21, receive marriage allowance, but are not entitled to quarters or the other family benefits of older men. This applies to all three Services, at home and overseas. We are not able to relax the age limits.

Sir B. Janner

The fact that it applies to three Services does not make it any the less heinous in respect of one. Is my right hon. Friend aware that young married people under 21 are allowed to take their wives but they must pay their fares? They are not given quarters. They are treated shamefuly in this respect. Will not my right hon. Friend reconsider this matter and make no distinction between persons who are under 21 and those who are over 21, particularly if they have families?

Mr. Mulley

We are aware that the average age of marrying has been greatly reduced, and this will naturally apply to servicemen as to civilians. The ages have been reduced from 30 to 25 for officers and from 26 to 21 for soldiers. Changing the age for their entitlement would not provide them with quarters. I do not think that my hon. and learned Friend appreciates that there is world wide an inadequate number of quarters for all three Services, and in every station a number of people who are already entitled and who are over 21 are not able to get quarters. Merely changing the age, as my hon. Friend suggests, would not provide the quarters we need.

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