§ 72. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing among ex-Volunteers now serving in the Regular Army at not receiving proficiency pay; if he is aware that many of these men served in the South African War and have obtained medals and bars in respect of previous military service; whether he is aware that ex-members of the Territorial Forces, now serving in the Regular Army, are receiving proficiency pay if they have served two trainings; and if he can state what is the Government's decision in respect to proficiency pay?
§ Mr. FORSTERRepresentations on this question have reached me from various quarters. As I have stated on several recent occasions, it is being further considered, though I must not be understood to be holding out any great hope of a change of policy. The position is that in peace time proficiency pay was given to Regular soldiers who had two years' service and were further qualified either by rank or military tests. Since the War broke out proficiency pay has been extended for the period of the War to members of the Territorial Force. In this case the time qualification is two years' service with attendance at two annual camps for the full period of fifteen days each. All soldiers now serving are entitled to count previous embodied service or Regular Army or Special Reserve service towards the period of two years. The military service in respect of which the men referred to by my hon. Friend received medals would, of course, count as qualifying service. Service in the Volunteer Force and in the old Imperial Yeomanry does not count. It was recognised that some good soldiers might be debarred by this rule, but, speaking generally, the standard of military training was considered to fall considerably below that of the Territorial Force.
§ Mr. THORNECan the hon. Gentleman say whether the Government will be able to make up their minds as to whether these ex-Volunteers will be given proficiency pay or not?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am afraid I cannot say at the moment, but I can say that we are considering it with a very sympathetic interest in the matter. I think I can give some proof of that so far as I am concerned when I say that some years ago I was a Volunteer officer myself.
§ Mr. MOUNTWill the hon. Gentleman consider the question of the demand for repayment of efficiency pay which is now being made in respect of men to whom it was paid in error?
§ Mr. FORSTERPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me notice of that.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it a question of finance that stands in the way?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is not entirely a question of finance.