§ Mr. Isaacsasked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the pay of band-boys in the Army, and by what amounts have the existing rates been increased since the outbreak of war; how much of this daily pay is handed over in cash and what are the amounts deducted for any specified purposes?
§ Captain MargessonThe pay of a boy appointed bandsman is 1s. 2d. a day while holding such appointment and until attaining the age of 17½ years. There has been no increase of pay since the outbreak of war. The actual cash paid to a boy bandsman depends on the state of his account and whether he is making a voluntary allotment of pay. The only standing compulsory deduction is the statutory contribution of 6½d. a week in respect of Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Pensions, in the case of boys over 16 years of age. Other compusory deductions may be made from time to time, e.g., for barrack damages or by way of punishment.