§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for War if he will allow the rank and file of the British Army, when serving on future manœuvres, the same extra minimum money grant of 3s. per man per day as is granted to every commissioned officer, seeing that the commissioned officers need not be put to any more expense than the rank and file, who are least able to bear it?
The HON. MEMBERalso asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will state in what manner the officers of the British Army are put to extra expense whilst under canvas on manœuvres that enables them to receive a minimum extra money grant of 3s. per day, whilst the rank and file go through the same manoeuvres without any extra money grant?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)The extra expenses to which an officer is put when under canvas on manoeuvres are: (1) Extra cost of food and incidentals of messing as compared with the cost of messing in barracks, etc. (2) Extra wear and tear of personal clothing and equipment. (3) Maintenance of a field kit. Practically none of this extra expense falls on the soldier when he is under canvas, as he receives a free ration, his mess and personal equipment are maintained from public funds, and the upkeep or his kit and clothing is met out of the kit and clothing allowances which are framed to cover this as one of the incidents of the soldier's service. It is not, therefore, proposed to extend the grant of field allowance to the soldier.
§ Mr. W. THORNEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can explain what he means by short rations outside what are paid for by the rank and file men?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe soldier's rations are found for him; the officer's rations are not.
§ Mr. W. THORNEThey are part and parcel of his wages.