MR. ARNOLDFORSTER (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what is the net amount of pay receivable by soldiers, subject to hospital stoppages, in the cases of men who have and who have not accepted the new messing allowance respectively?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe present amount of hospital stoppage for sickness not due to climate and service is 7d.; for sickness or injury due to climate or service 3½d.; for wounds in action or injuries at drill or manœuvres there is no stoppage. The amount received is the same whether the man is drawing the old or new rates —namely, Is. in the case of wounds; 8½d. in the case of sickness due to service; 5d. in the case of disease contracted by the man's own fault. The new messing allowance is not issued to a man in hospital, as he is not put under stoppages for food. The cost to Government of a patient in hospital is about 1s. 8d. a day.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERDo I understand that the amount they now receive is the same as before the new rates came in?
§ MR. BRODRICKYes.