§ 81. Mr. MORTONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Army Council had under consideration before the War broke out the reduction of the £100 outfit allowance granted to retired officers on re-employment; if so, will he say when and what decision was arrived at; what amount would have been saved to the country if the Order of 4th December, limiting the amount to £50, had been in force on 4th August; how many retired officers that have drawn the full allowance of £100 are employed in the War Office and other Government offices, respectively; do these officers require a full Service outfit, and has the same in every case been provided; and whether the Civil staff of the War Office employed at Malta are granted Colonial allowances, if so, at what rate, and is he prepared to recommend Colonial allowances at the same rates to the Territorial troops now employed on that station?
Mr. BAKERThe Army Council had considered this question, but no decision had been announced when War was declared. 412 The information asked for in the third part of the question could not be ascertained from the accounts without considerable trouble, as the payments are decentralised. As regards the fourth and fifth parts the numbers are sixty-two and one respectively. The answer to the sixth part is that payment is only made on a certificate that the officer is in possession of full military outfit. As regards the seventh and eighth parts, Colonial allowances are granted at rates varying from £45 to £150 per annum. The answer to the last part is in the negative.