HC Deb 23 July 1900 vol 86 cc965-6

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

[Mr. J. W. LOWTHER, Cumberland, Penrith, in the Chair.]

Clause 1:—

MR. BUCHANAN

had on the Paper an Amendment to insert the following proviso— Provided always, that men in the second division liable to be called out under this section shall receive not less Army reserve pay than that received by men of the first division.

THE CHAIRMAN

The Amendment standing in the name of the hon. Member for East Aberdeenshire is out of order, because it would impose a fresh charge upon the taxpayer.

Question proposed, "That Clause 1 stand part of the Bill."

MR. BUCHANAN

said that it would be somewhat hard if the men upon whom these new obligations were to be placed did not enjoy the same position and pay as those who constituted the first division and the Army Reserve. He, therefore, asked the Under Secretary of State to give an assurance that these men should receive the same remuneration as those upon whom the obligations at present rested.

MR. WYNDHAM

I can give the assurance asked for. I can even say that in the Supplementary Estimates, which I hope to introduce on Friday, a small sum will be allocated to meet the limited number of cases which are likely to accrue this year.

MR. BUCHANAN

It will not be necessary to put a provision in the Bill, I suppose?

MR. WYNDHAM

No.

Clause 2:—

MR. WYNDHAM

I must move the Amendment on the Paper, although the necessity of it may seem a little in conflict with what I have just said. But there is a necessity, because in the Act to be amended the pay is laid down, and therefore, as we are amending the Act, it is necessary to put in these words in order to secure the proper pay.

Amendment proposed— In page 2, line 7, after 'and,' to add '(d) if under the foregoing provisions the rank of any such man in the Militia is raised or reduced above or below that which he held before he entered on permanent service his pay shall be correspondingly raised or reduced.'"—(Mr. Wyndham.)

Amendment agreed to.

Remaining clauses agreed to.

Bill reported, with the Amendment; as amended, to be considered To-morrow.