HC Deb 16 September 1914 vol 66 cc940-1
34. Sir COURTENAY WARNER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will see that ex-officers who have had military training shall be encouraged to return to the Army by being given commissions; if he has had any complaints of incivility on the part of the officials who receive gentlemen and ex-officers on behalf of the Military Secretary; and, if so, what steps he has taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents?

Mr. TENNANT

Ex-officers who have had military training are encouraged to return to the Army. No complaints other than one from my hon. and gallant Friend have, I am informed, been received.

40. Mr. HAMILTON

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether retired Regular officers, having been called up for duty from the Reserve of Officers and employed as recruiting officers, only receive £20 as outfit allowance, while officers called up in the same way for other duties receive £100; and whether, seeing that Army Regulations, paragraph 675, lays it down that £100 is a flat rate for all officers so called up, and that White Paper No. 4270, issued in the Western Command, clearly states that it is a flat rate applicable to employment with the Regular Forces, including recruiting officers, he will say under what authority this White Paper has been overruled?

Mr. BAKER

The Allowance Regulations, paragraph 675, give not a flat rate of £ 100, but a sum not exceeding that amount. The Command Order laid down a flat rate of £100. It was subsequently brought to notice that this far exceeded the necessities of the retired officers employed on recruiting duties, and an amending Order was issued. If there is any case in which an officer, before the issue of the amending Order, has incurred liabilities of a larger amount than £20, I will consider it.

Mr. HAMILTON

In view of the fact that some of these officers have incurred extra expense, or think they have, will he instruct the commanding officer of the district to circulate his reply to all of them?

Mr. BAKER

I will see that the hon. Member's suggestion is brought to the notice of those officers.