HC Deb 22 June 1966 vol 730 cc572-3
34. Mr. G. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will raise the compulsory qualifying allotment for marriage allowance for corporals and below from 4s. a day, since it has remained at this figure for many years while pay has increased.

Mr. Ennals

The whole question of qualifying allotments is now being reviewed.

Mr. Campbell

While I do not share the view of a noble Lord who is a field marshal that the Army should largely consist of bachelors, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman would agree that Service men should be encouraged to take family responsibilities seriously as under the present system their families can be left in financial straits?

Mr. Ennals

Of course it is true that seven out of eight married Service men are living with their families. It is also true that the present qualifying figure of 4s. a day is very much less than the vast majority of Service men pay over. As part of the review we are considering whether the responsiblity for deciding how much should be allocated to his wife should fall on the man rather than be done by means of restrictions.