§ Mr. Garro Jonesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the large number of naval ratings below 3313W the age of 25 whose wives, receiving no marriage allowance, are compelled to apply for public assistance; whether he will endeavour to enumerate these cases; and whether he will consider measures to make unnecessary any recourse to public assistance by them?
§ Colonel LlewellinExact information of the number of naval ratings under the age of 25 whose wives have applied for public assistance would be difficult to obtain, but such information as is available to me does not suggest that the number is large. The Admiralty have arranged that cases of real distress will he assisted by the Admiralty Family Welfare Sections at the home ports, either direct or through the medium of the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association, if necessary with the help of the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust.