§ Captain Pluggeasked the Secretary of State for War what rate of command pay is drawn by officers commanding a military pioneer group which has a minimum strength of over 2,000 other ranks and also carries the responsibilities for the control and employment of all civilian labour within the group area?
§ Mr. StanleyThe rate is 6s. a day.
§ Captain Pluggeasked the Secretary of State for War whether it has now been decided to transfer to the Military Pioneer Corps all officers of the Regular Army and Territorial Army Reserve of Officers who are at present serving with that corps; whether officers of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers who have held their commissions for a period exceeding 15 years will continue to draw the pay of their original regiment or corps if that rate is higher than the pay of the Military Pioneer Corps; and, if such 1394W officers cease to be employed with the Military Pioneer Corps on account of staff or other appointments, whether they will automatically be re-transferred to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers or the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers of their original regiment or corps?
§ Mr. StanleyThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, and to the last part in the negative. As the rates of regimental pay are the same for officers of all combatant arms, no question of loss of pay should arise. The reference to 15 years is not understood, but officers transferred to the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps would continue to be entitled to any higher rate of pay for which they are eligible by virtue of previous service and to retain any reserved right to pay current before 1st September, 1938, which they had before transfer to the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps by virtue of their commission having been granted before 1st September, 1938.