§ 96. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Postmaster-General if he will explain why the payment from the Post Office in the following circumstances has been reduced, namely, W. R. Alderson, postman, Cross-hills S.O., enlisted in the West Riding National Reserve, the allowance paid by the Post Office up to 1st March being 6s. 5d. a week, which, with the Army allowance, made up the amount of the postman's wages; on 1st March the separation allowance was increased by 3s. 6d. a week under the new scheme, when the Post Office reduced their payment by that amount, namely, to 2s. 11d.; seeing that, this soldier's wife gains no benefit from the increased allowance, which has gone to relieve the Post Office, will he say if this is in accordance with regulations; and if it was intended that the increased allowance should be used to subsidise the Post Office; and will he give instructions for the previous payment from the Post Office of 6s. 5d. a week to be continued, with arrears from 1st March?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe regulations governing the pay of Civil servants serving with the Colours in the ranks or as noncommissioned officers provide that where civil pay exceeds 7s. a week (representing Army pay), plus the amount of any separation allowance granted, the excess shall be paid to the soldier's nominee. When 979 the separation allowance is increased the amount of such excess and the balance of civil pay is correspondingly reduced. The regulations referred to apply to the Civil Service generally and the Post Office has no power to depart from them.