asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how much London allowance is paid to officers and ratings; and whether he considers this adequate after deduction of Income Tax.

The rates of London allowance for officers range from 5s. to 3s. 6d. a day according to rank. Chief petty officers and petty officers receive 1s. 3d. a day, and leading rates and below 1s. a day. For full details I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to pages 248 and 251 of the Navy Estimates, 1949–50. In common with all other items of naval pay, London allowance is constantly under review.

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite satisfied that this allowance, which varies from 5s. in the case of some officers down to just over 1s. in the case of petty officers and men, is quite adequate for the purpose for which it was designed?

I have no reason to think that it is disproportionately low.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the pay of officers was raised most officers are very much worse off owing to the taxation of their allowances?

I find it very difficult to believe that after a rise in pay an officer is worse off.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether these figures are the same for all three Services?

As far as I know they are, but I would not like to commit myself.