Lieut.-Colonel Guestasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a married airman living out of camp being under the age of 26 years is allowed ration allowance at the rate of 1s. 3d. per day, as in the case of the married airman living out of camp who is of 26 years of age or over, but is not allowed the further recent allowance of 14.4d. a day to meet the increased cost of living which is allowed to the married airman living out of camp who is 26 years of age or over; and whether he will consider steps to equalise the ration allowances as heretofore?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe difference in the rates of ration allowance payable to the two classes of airman referred to, at present 1s. 3½d. a day, is due to the airman not entitled to marriage allowance being given a ration allowance representing the public cost of the ration issued to men living in mess, whilst the airman entitled to marriage allowance is given a money allowance based on retail prices, which includes an element for cooking and service. Variations in food prices are dealt with by monthly alterations to all ration allowances.