asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now consider making provision for the payment of a dependant's allowance to the parents of Regular soldiers in cases where financial hardship exists.

Dependants' allowances are no longer paid, having been replaced, in certain circumstances, by National Service grants. These grants are not admissible where service with the Colours is not compulsory. They have been authorised, in certain circumstances, for the dependants of Regular soldiers recalled to or compulsorily retained with the Colours, but are not payable to the dependants of Regular soldiers serving on voluntary engagements.