§ Captain HAMBROasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can state what gratuity is paid to an officer who has been promoted from the ranks, and who has held his commission for less than six months and then been discharged through wounds?
Captain GUESTHe receives a soldier's gratuity in respect of his service in the ranks, and an officer's gratuity in respect of his commissioned service. The scale of these gratuities have been published in full detail.
§ Brigadier-General CROFTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether war gratuities are only granted on substantive rank; and whether, in view of the fact that officers with acting or temporary rank in numerous cases assumed responsibility and held commands for long periods, he will now arrange that gratuities shall be granted to officers who have held such acting or temporary rank for a resonble period of time?
Captain GUESTGratuities are granted on substantive and temporary rank. As already stated the conditions under which acting rank should be allowed to count are at present under consideration.
§ General CROFTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether previous service in the ranks during the War counts towards an officer's gratuity; and, if not, whether officers promoted from the ranks are entitled to the bonuses they would have received for such service in the ranks?
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Captain GUESTPrevious service in the ranks does not count towards the officer's gratuity, but it does count for the man's gratuity. The answer, therefore, to the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the affirmative.