HC Deb 09 May 1901 vol 93 c1146
CAPTAIN NORTON

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state in what year the pay of the British private soldier was fixed at 1s. a day, and also when the initial pay of the infantry subaltern was fixed at 5s. 3d. a day.

MR. BRODRICK

The rate of 1s. for the private dates from 25th May, 1797, when the soldier had to find all his food out of it. A rate of 1s. has been traced to the time of Richard Cromwell, but it was shortly afterwards reduced. The pay of the subaltern was fixed at 5s. 3d. on the 25th June, 1806. I may mention that at the time of the battle of Agincourt the pay of the archers was 6d. a day, but they did not always get it.

MR. HERBERT LEWIS

Was not 6d. a day at the time of the battle of Agincourt equal to 5s. at the present day?

CAPTAIN NORTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the British soldier first received 1s. per day in addition to the amount of food he receives, now?

MR. BRODRICK

I think the hon. Member had better put that question down.