asked the Minister of Defence if he will now make a statement about the payment of marriage allowances to officers under 25 years of age.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. on 28th February.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this statement was unsatisfac- tory in that no allowances whatever were made for children, and what possible justification is there for treating officers under 25 differently from those over 25?

I think that my right hon. Friend said that the latter point was under consideration, but in regard to the other matter, we must consider not only the rates of allowances, but also the rates of pay.