HC Deb 18 March 1907 vol 171 cc418-20
MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)

To ask the Secretary of State for War what were the inclusive expenses incurred by the public in transferring Colonel Bray, as Chief Accountant, from Aldershot to York in January, 1906, and Mr. McArthur from Salisbury to York, in February, 1907, on succeeding Colonel Bray in the appointment respectively; and what were the total emoluments of each official prior to assuming this appointment.

(Answered, by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The particulars of the expenses are recorded locally. If the hon. Member attaches importance to the point, I will call for the information. The emoluments in question were as follows:—

£
Colonel Bray 715
Mr. McArthur 650
MR. LONSDALE

To ask the Secretary of State for War under what Vote the expenses of transferring civilian members of the Army Accounts Department are included.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Vote 6.

MR. LONSDALE

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether there is any limit to the cost of conveying civilian members of the Army Accounts Department from one appointment to another; and whether, in view of the Director of Army Finance Circular, dated 28th February, 1905, wherein provision is made for the conveyance of civilians and their families only, he will state the authority for placing the entire cost of removing the belongings and effects of such civilians, together with compensation, upon public funds.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Reasonable expense of removal are allowed, under regulations approved by the Treasury, in accordance with the practice for the Civil Service generally.

MR. LONSDALE

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state what provision is made for the conveyance of military members of the Army Accounts Department and their belongings when transferred from one station to another.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The provisions referred to are those applicable to officers of the Army gener- ally. They are laid down in the regulations for the allowances of the Army.

MR. LONSDALE

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, whereas officers and subordinate members of the Army Pay Corps are liable for duty abroad, civilian members of the Army Accounts Department can only be invited to volunteer for service abroad, and are granted substantial additional pay for such service.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Except in the case of civil servants not previously liable to service abroad, who received no compensation to cover such liability on joining the Army Accounts Department, all established members of the Department are liable to service abroad. They are not granted extra pay for so serving, but receive an allowance to cover the increased cost of living when abroad.

MR. LONSDALE

To ask the Secretary of State for War what are the total emoluments in Malta of the present civilian first-class assistant accountant, and military first-class assistant accountant respectively; and how much does each receive as Colonial allowance; and what are the rates granted in other Colonial stations to civil and military members respectively.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The average annual emoluments at Malta for first-class assistant accountants are:—Military, £492, no Colonial allowance; Civil, £392, plus £100 Colonial allowance. As regards other foreign stations, the Colonial allowances for officers are laid down in the Allowance Regulations, Paragraph 290. In addition officers serving abroad receive an allowance for rations, and at some stations a higher rate of lodging money. The allowances drawn by civilian first-class accountants are as follows:—

£
Pretoria 220
Cape Town 200
Ceylon 150