§ Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Pensions what allowances are made under the regulations of the Special Grants Committee to the children of deceased officers, by means of educational grants or otherwise, and to the children of deceased non-commissioned officers and other ranks; at what age these allowances cease; and whether he proposes to introduce any legislation which will give the children of other ranks the same opportunities as the children of deceased officers?
§ Major TRYONUnder the regulations of the Special Grants Committee, supplementary grants may be made in aid of education up to a maximum of £80 in the case of officers' children, and up to a maximum of £50 in the case of children of other ranks, and in both cases grants are confined to children under the age of 21 years. The difference between the maximum payable in the two classes of case is a matter of long-standing practice, and the present rates were adopted in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee on pensions in 1919–1920. I am not prepared to suggest an increase in the maximum rates available in the case of non-commissioned ranks.