HC Deb 10 August 1914 vol 65 cc2246-7
Mr. MONTAGUE BARLOW

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is a fact that Territorials from Lancashire and elsewhere on active service can assign out of their pay of 2s. 7d. per day only 1s. 7d. to their wives, and whether he can see his way to relax the rule so that they may assign either the whole or any portion of their pay, if they so desire?

Mr. TENNANT

Territorial soldiers are allowed to send the whole of their pay to their wives if they so desire, but they must make their own arrangements for remitting it by postal orders or otherwise.

Mr. BARLOW

That is not the impression among the Territorials. I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman can take steps to make it clear that is so.

Mr. TENNANT

The hon. Member might take steps to make it clear to his own constituents. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] I think that it is a very unusual circumstance that there should be a body of people under such a great delusion.

Mr. BARLOW

I am afraid that I must ask a supplementary question. The point is not whether Territorials may send money themselves, but whether they can assign it so that the Government can send it for them? I understand most clearly and explicity from Territorial officers in Lancashire that at present the men can only assign 1s. 7d. out of 2s. 7d., and they are very indignant.

Mr. TENNANT

I think that it is a great mistake to be indignant about a thing on which you are imperfectly informed. They can give the whole of their money. [HON MEMBERS: "Assign it!"] The Government, as the House is well aware, do remit payments from soldiers who are serving abroad, but persons who are serving at Home must make their own arrangements.

Colonel IVOR PHILIPPS

May I ask whether a soldier may not assign the whole of his pay if he thinks fit; and, if he is not allowed to assign it, whether he may not remit the whole or any part of it free? That, I think, is the arrangement everywhere else.

Mr. TENNANT

Yes, that is quite true—from the field, if necessary.

Colonel IVOR PHILIPPS

Free?

Mr. TENNANT

Yes, free.