§ 1. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why, under his pensions regulations, a disabled ex-Service man in the warrant officer, class I, or equivalent rank in the other Services, is allowed to claim a child allowance for his children until they reach the age of 18 years, whereas an ex-Service man below that rank can only claim until his children have reached the age of 16 years; and whether he will amend his regulations to ensure that all ranks can claim their children's allowance until the child has reached 18 years.
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter:This is a longstanding provision of the Royal Warrant, but there is no such differentiation where the child is a student or an apprentice or is incapable of self-support by reason of infirmity. In all these cases the Royal Warrant provides for the continued payment of the allowance and I do not think that any extension of the present arrangements is necessary.