§ 28. Sir CHARLES HENRYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the reason why proficiency pay of 3d. per day, which was paid when they first enlisted, to those Shropshire National Reservists who had previously been in the Volunteer Force has, since March, been discontinued; and what is the reason why a distinction as regards pay should be made between the members of the National Reserve who were formerly in the Volunteer Force and those who were members of the Territorial Army?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt was decided, on military grounds, that service in the Volunteers was not the equivalent of that service in the Territorial Army which counts for issue of proficiency pay. If such pay has in Shropshire been issued in respect of Volunteer service, the reason for its discontinuance is that it was issued contrary to regulation.
§ Sir C. HENRYCan the hon. Gentleman give me an assurance that this matter will be reconsidered?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe whole question has been very carefully considered in quite recent times, and I am afraid that I cannot hold out any hope that it will be reconsidered.