HC Deb 12 July 1910 vol 19 cc179-80
Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Secretary of State for War if he was aware that a non-commissioned officer of the Artillery clerks section who re-engaged to complete his period for a pension forfeits 4s. 1d. per week; would he explain the reason for this reduction of pay inflicted on men at a time when they, being in many cases married men, have an additional cost of living to meet; and would he repeal this regulation?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)

As I have already explained in answer to previous questions on this subject, there is no right to re-engage. These men have been allowed to continue in receipt of service pay for the full period for which they originally enlisted, and if they are permitted to enter on a fresh period of service they can only do so on the terms now current for soldiers holding the same position in the arm to which they belong. It is not proposed to repeal the regulation.

Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any estimate of what the cost would be of allowing non-commissioned officers and warrant officers to re-engage upon the same terms or on terms not less favourable than those on which they first enlisted?

Mr. HALDANE

I have no doubt I could, but it does not touch the main point.

Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there is stagnation in promotion among the Royal Artillery clerks section; that in consequence non-commissioned officers in this grade are being passed by their juniors in the clerical establishments of other corps; and will he make careful inquiry into this matter with a view of removing a keenly felt grievance?

Mr. HALDANE

I am aware of the stagnation in promotion among the clerks in question, which is due to the reductions of establishment caused by the replacement of the clerks by ex-soldiers in the record offices in 1906, and by the disbandment of Garrison Artillery Militia units in 1908. But in order to lessen the hardship caused by the reductions in the higher grades approval was given for a promotion to be made in one of every three vacancies.