§ 25. Mr. TOUCHEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether British soldiers in France, if paid in French money, are entitled to receive the equivalent in French currency of the English money agreed to be paid to them when they enlisted; and, if so, will he say why this practice has not been followed, but that soldiers have been paid in French money at the present abnormal rate of exchange, representing a reduction of about 8 per cent, in their rate of pay as compared with the normal rate; and is this course to be continued?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The rate of exchange at which the troops are now being paid is based upon the average market rate for the previous month, so that they are receiving the full benefit of the source of exchange. The rate this month is five francs for 3s. 8d.