HC Deb 14 March 1916 vol 80 cc1877-8
23. Mr. GEORGE TERRELL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the pay of the General Officer in Command, Southern Command, was reduced by the sum of £850 per annum at the beginning of the War; if it is now proposed to increase it again by that amount; and, if so, why this course is adopted?

68. Mr. ASHLEY

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why, in view of the desirability of economy, the recently appointed General Officer Commandingin-Chief, Southern Command, is to be given £3,350 a year, whereas his predecessor received only £2,500?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)

In peace time the General Officer Commanding. Southern Command, was a General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, First Class, responsible for the higher training of a large portion of the Army. When the Expeditionary Force had left the country and the New Army was formed, the training was necessarily elementary, and the responsibilities of the post were adequately met by the pay of a General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Second Class. At a later stage a separate General Officer Commanding was appointed to take charge of the training of the Salisbury centre, with the pay of the First Class. Both these officers have now been succeeded by a single General Officer Commanding of the First Class, the pay of the Second Class post being saved.

Mr. ASHLEY

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, why have they not increased the salary of the General Officer in Command at York, who has duties equally as important as those of the General Officer in Command at Salisbury?

Mr. FORSTER

The matter is under consideration now.

Mr. ASHLEY

Are we to understand that not only is the salary of the General Officer in Command at Salisbury to he increased, but also the salaries of the others?

Mr. SPEAKER

That raises another point, and the hon. Member must give notice of it.