§ 35. Major HENRY TERRELLasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that many officers of junior rank at the commencement of the war gave up substantial incomes to accept commissions in the Army, and that many such officers have wives and families to maintain on their pay; and whether, seeing that the pay is 7s. 6d. a day in the case of a second lieutenant, 8s. 6d. a day in the case of a lieutenant, and 12s. 6d. a day in the case of a captain, he will at once take steps to raise the rates of pay of officers to such figures as, having regard to the increased cost of living, will enable them to maintain themselves and families in a manner suitable to their position?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)I am aware of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers in the first part of his question, and would remind him that the Government appointed the Civil Liabilities Committee to relieve the hardship of 1113 such cases. As regards the second part, I am afraid I can add nothing to the reply I gave him on the 16th November.
§ Mr. G. FABERDoes the measure to which the hon. Gentleman refers deal with capital or income liabilities?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think it includes both.
§ Major TERRELLThe answer is so unsatisfactory that I will call attention to the whole matter on the Adjournment at a very early date.