§ 33. Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that young officers in the Royal Army Medical Service and other branches of His Majesty's Army have been made to pay their own railway fares, as well as other travelling expenses, from their homes to the centres, sometimes over 400 miles distant, where they have been ordered to join their respective units, and in some cases, after their services have been accepted, from their homes or stations to London or other centres and back in order to keep appointments made for them by the military authorities; and if he will take steps to see that in future travelling warrants are given to such newly-joined young officers so that this additional expense may be borne by the Treasury, and so no longer thrown upon the shoulders of those who in many cases can ill afford to travel first-class in times of peace?
Mr. BAKERFree travelling for officers on first appointment is not admissible under regulations. Any journeys undertaken after joining for duty, authorised by competent military authority and on the public service are paid for out of public funds.