29. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if ho is aware that bricklayers, carpenters, painters, and plumbers who joined the Royal Engineers and passed the trade test have been, owing to physical unfitness, transferred to the Infantry Works Company of the 13th Devons; that these men are working at their respective trades, as they would be if they had remained in the Engineers, but are not receiving the Engineers' rate of pay; that up to 31st December last they received 2d. per hour working pay plus 1s. per day Army pay, but that since the above date 426 they have only received the 1s. per day; and whether he will inquire into this matter with the object of restoring at least the 2d. per hour working pay?
§ Mr. FORSTERWhen men are physically unfit to carry out the duties for which they were enlisted, and their physical unfitness is not due to military service, they may be transferred to other units where their services can be utilised, receiving the recognised rates of pay in the new unit. Working pay has ceased universally in Infantry Works Companies from 1st January.
Mr. WILSONIs the hon. Member aware that many of these men are employed finishing work that contractors have not been able to do on account of not being able to get the men?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am not aware of it.