HC Deb 27 July 1908 vol 193 cc862-3
MR. COCHRANE (Ayrshire N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the result of the new regulations for the payments from Association funds to instructors on the permanent staff of Territorial regiments will be to reduce emoluments of the instructors employed by two Ayrshire battalions from £22 per annum to £6 10s.; and, seeing that such reduction will be regarded by the instructors as a breach of contract, whether he will arrange to continue the present scale until the termination of existing contracts.

MR. HALDANE

No rate has yet been approved pending the receipt of revised proposals from the Association. It is not proposed to continue rates paid by Volunteer corps unless they are justified by the conditions of the Territorial Force Corps. The permanent staff are not serving on any definite contract—they are liable at any time to be reverted to their regular unit. The hon. Member is referring only to the allowances from Association funds, and has not mentioned the regular pay and allowances which, if all are taken in cash, amount to about 43s. weekly.

MR. COCHRANE

Will there he any reduction?

MR. HALDANE

I hope it will be just the contrary. Many bad systems have grown up, and the matter is now being properly regulated.

MR. ASHLEY

Will there be an appeal to the County Association or to the War Office?

MR. HALDANE

They can always revert to the conditions on which they came into the Line.

MR. ASHLEY

But will there be any appeal?

MR. HALDANE

Practically, no. We shall leave the matter to the Association.