asked the Prime Minister whether the committee appointed to investigate the possibility of reducing the pay of new entrants to the Navy, Army, and Air Force has yet come to any conclusion; and, if not, whether he can say when he anticipates that their decision will be made known?

The Committee are making good progress, but owing to the prolonged examination necessary I am unable to say when their labours will be completed.

In view of the fact that this question, conjointly with the question of marriage allowances to naval officers, is going to embitter the relations between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and hip Cabinet colleagues, would it not be advisable—

That is an improper preamble.