asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the number of cases of wives of men serving in the Navy and Army who are compelled to apply for public assistance, he will consult with the heads of the three Defence Services, with a view to the qualifying age for marriage allowance being lowered?

Questions affecting the conditions of service of men of His Majesty's Forces primarily concern the Ministers in charge of the respective Defence Departments.

Is not the Minister aware that Members in many parts of the House consider that these cases are very disturbing and distressing and that they seriously affect the prestige of the Services concerned, and will he not reconsider his answer and get into touch with the heads of these Services?

It is not a question of reconsidering my reply, which I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman did not hear, and which was that this is primarily a question for the Ministers in charge of the Defence Departments.

Is not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that some public assistance committees are refusing relief to the wives of serving men, and can he use his influence to induce those public assistance committees to afford an adequate measure of relief in such cases?

That is a different question.

Is the Minister aware that one of these questions was addressed to a Defence Service Minister, who replied that he was bound by Treasury regulations in the matter, and is that not the reason why it cannot be reconsidered?