HC Deb 26 November 1917 vol 99 cc1633-5

1. The State to take over a portion of the allotment not exceeding 3s. 6d. in the case of allotments amounting to 5s. or more per week, and in the case of smaller allotments to dependants other than wives, such lesser sums will leave the men chargeable with 1s. 6d. per week. In the case of boys whose pay normally does not admit of an allotment in excess of 2s. per week, the State to take over ls. of the allotment.

2. Additions to pay as follows:

A. B ratings 2d. a day
Leading ratings 3d.a day
Petty officer ratings 5d. a day
Chief petty officer ratings 5d. a day
with an increase of 3d. a day to A.B. ratings after three years instead of after six years, as at present.

3. Messing allowance at 7d. (at present 5⅛d.).

4. Abolition of hospital stoppages.

5. Free kit (now free kit on entry).

6. Pensions to be paid to men who have completed time for pension and are detained under Proclamation, the same to be retrospective as from the beginning of the War, minus, in each case, the value of the detained pay already received.

7. Improved pension for twenty-two years' service.

All these changes take effect from 29th September last for the Army and from 1st October last for the Navy.

The total increased charge is about—

For the first year £65,000,000
For the second year £69,000,000

The Departmental Regulations, to be issued shortly, will give full details, and will be the only authoritative documents in the event of any question arising as to the application of the new scheme.

Mr. O'GRADY

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea as to what will be the increase, say, to a private in the Army?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The whole award is rather long, and I hope my hon. Friend will wait until he sees it circulated.

Mr. LOUGH

Will an Estimate of this huge expenditure be laid before the House, or in some other way?

Mr. BONAR LAW

An Estimate is not necessary. It is paid in the same way as the other items out of the Vote of Credit.

Mr. HOGGE

With regard to that part of the reply in which it is stated that in so far as the money has not been paid it will be retrospective, may I ask has any money been paid as yet to either branch of the Service, and, if it has not, will it be paid at once?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Some has been paid, but all has not been paid. I can assure my hon. Friend there will he no avoidable delay.

Colonel YATE

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that any increase of pay given to the men will apply equally to officers and men, and not only to the men?

Mr. BONAR- LAW

My hon. and gallant Friend did not hear my answer. There is a Committee sitting to deal specially with the question of officers. I am not yet able to give the result, but I hope to be able to do so before the end of the Session.

Major BOWDEN

Can the right lion. Gentleman say, approximately, what is the increase on the flat rates given to soldiers and sailors?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I could not say, but, as the details are given, it would be better to wait for them.

Back to