§ 118. Dr. Santo Jegerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider removing the anomaly whereby a soldier, other ranks, who is already receiving marriage allowance and is commissioned before he reaches the age of 25 years, can only receive marriage allowance of other ranks' rate until he is 25 years of age.
§ Mr. BellengerThe "anomaly" referred to is a special concession to officers below the age of 25 who are commissioned from the ranks and, because of their age, are not eligible for marriage allowance as officers. It would not be practicable to treat them as married officers for allowance purposes in view of the general rule relating to officers under 25.
§ 128. Lieut.-Colonel Corbettasked the Secretary of State for War what financial provision he will make for wives of officers under 25 years of age.
§ Mr. BellengerI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave last week to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East St. Pancras (Dr. Jeger), of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the rule preventing, in general, the payment of marriage allowance to officers who are under the age of 25 years creates grave hardship; and whether he will reconsider the present regulation with a view to making the allowance payable in all cases where there has been a legal marriage.
§ Mr. BellengerI am not aware of any hardship as special provision for married officers can be made in certain cases as I explained in a reply, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, given on 19th November to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East St. Pancras (Dr. Jeger).