§ 76. Mr. C. DUNCANasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether men serving in the Army Pay Corps and the clerical staff of the Royal Defence Corps are still being paid at the rate of 1s. 8d. per day, plus ration allowance, totalling 29s. 2d. per week, the rate paid at the outbreak of war; whether many of these men so engaged are living with their families and have to pay daily travelling expenses; whether the women clerks engaged on the same work have been awarded the war bonus of 4s. and 5s. per week, and also receive overtime; whether the men referred to have no fixed working hours and do not receive remuneration for extra time worked; and whether, in view of these facts, it is proposed to increase their pay in order that they may be able to meet the increased cost of living and the travelling expenses they have to incur?
§ Mr. FORSTERThese men are serving soldiers and are remunerated as such. In addition they draw allowances for their 760 families, like other soldiers. No comparison can profitably be instituted between the wages of women clerks and the emoluments of soldiers.