§ MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for 763 War why the Special Reservists of the 3rd Battalion Suffolk Regiment were only trained for twenty days, from Monday, 11th May, to Saturday, 30th May; why they were only given twenty days' pay, although they had been engaged for twenty-one days' training; and whether the Special Reservists of other battalions were treated in the same way.
§ MR. HALDANEThe training of a certain number of Special Reserve units was arranged this year from a Monday to the following Saturday fortnight in order to avoid the necessity of dismissing the men on a Sunday. As this involved only twenty days' training it was not possible to allow more than twenty days' pay. I cannot find that any guarantee of twenty-one days' pay was given. There were other cases similar to that of the unit referred to by the hon. Member. He will notice that no diminution of the number of week days actually devoted to training is involved, but I will consider whether it will not be possible to arrange in future that the full twenty-one days' training and pay shall be given.
§ MR. PIKE PEASESeeing that this is a very small matter, will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the case of these men?
§ MR. HALDANEI have said I will consider the question.
§ MR. PIKE PEASEBut will these men get the extra day's pay?
§ MR. HALDANEwas understood to reply in the negative.