§ 22. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether officers in the Record Corps, although their duties are clerical, receive commissions; whether clerks in the Pay Corps, employed to assist acting paymasters, are in uniform when on duty; whether he is aware that acting paymasters, whose duties bring them constantly into relation with soldiers, feel aggrieved that they have no military status; whether regimental paymasters have recommended that commissions be granted to acting paymasters; and if he will state the reasons which have led the War Office to refuse to place acting paymasters on an equal footing with Record Corps officers by granting them commissions?
Mr. BAKERThe facts are generally as stated in the question. It is not considered necessary or desirable to give commissions for purely clerical work in Pay Offices. The case of the Record Offices is altogether different, as some of the duties are such that only a commissioned officer can perform them.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLWill the hon. Gentleman be good enough to say why it was regarded as undesirable?
Mr. BAKERThe reason, I think, was contained in my answer. If the hon. Member would wish me to give a further reason, it is that it is desired not to encourage people to undertake non-combatant duty when they might undertake combatant duty.