HC Deb 12 October 1915 vol 74 cc1178-80
17. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is now the total amount of the weekly payments to dependants of soldiers?

Mr. FORSTER

Including wives and children in the term "dependant," the amount exceeds £1,000,000 a week.

18. Mr. HOHLER

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that ex-Naval as well as ex-Army men were invited to join the National Reserve; why is it that a discrimination in pay unfavourable to ex-Navy men is made by the War Office; what is the reason why ex-Naval men performing similar duties as ex-Army men receive 3d. a day less pay; and at what date this reduction was made and take steps to restore the pay as from that date?

Mr. FORSTER

The hon. Member is no doubt referring to proficiency pay which is payable to soldiers who satisfy certain conditions, including a certain period of military service. Service in the Royal Navy does not count as military service for this purpose, and no expectation that it would do so was held out to naval men.

Mr. HOHLER

When these men joined the National Reserve were they informed that they would suffer this disability?

Mr. FORSTER

I am sorry, I could not catch that.

Mr. HOHLER

When they joined the National Reserve were they told that they would be under the disability of receiving less pay than others who did the same service?

Mr. FORSTER

It is something quite apart from the ordinary pay which the soldier earns.

Mr. HOHLER

When naval men were asked to join the National Reserve on the same terms as military men were they informed they would not receive the same pay as the military men, although they did exactly the same service?

Mr. FORSTER

They were not qualified for it.

33. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what is now the total amount of the weekly payments to dependants of sailors?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The total amount payable in respect of separation allowances and allotments to the dependants, including wives and children, of seamen and marines (excluding warrant officers) is approximately £200,000 a week.

Sir A. MARKHAM

'Is the sum of £1,000,000, which the Financial Secretary to the War Office said was paid to dependants, over and above the sum mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman?

Mr. MACNAMARA

This is for the Navy only.

47. Colonel YATE

asked the Prime Minister when it is expected that the revision of the regulations for the grant of pensions to officers' dependants, recommended in Paragraph 6 of the Third Special Report from the Select Committee on Naval and Military Services (Pensions and Grants), will be completed; and by what date it is hoped to issue the warrant bringing into force the recommendations of the Select Committee regarding pensions and grants to disabled officers and officers' widows, orphans, and dependants?

Mr. TENNANT

It is not possible to-give a date, but both documents are in a forward state of preparation for issue.

Mr. HOGGE

Is the House of Commons going to discuss this Report at all before it comes into operation?

The PRIME MINISTER

I should like to have notice of that question.