§ 37. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Army Council are still adhering to their agreement to give one month's notice in writing should the services of an acting paymaster be required for active service; and, if his services should be so required, will he consider the possibility of giving the acting paymaster an opportunity of securing a commission through the Officers' Training Corps?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.
§ 38. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the number of temporary commissions, with the rank of captain, given in the Army Pay Department number only two a year out of an average of twenty-five acting paymasters in a pay office, and can he see his way to increase this proportion, seeing that the work done by these officers is the same as if not more responsible than that performed by the regular staff of the Army Pay Department before the War, and that the temporary paymasters are largely responsible for the good working of the pay offices; will he state why seniority of service in the Pay Department is not taken into account towards promotion as is customary in other branches of the service; and, seeing that the selection is made on the regimental paymaster's recommendation to the Inspector of Pay Offices, and that this procedure lends itself to favouritism, will he consider some other form of making the selection?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe number of temporary commissions granted is the result 1344 of careful consideration, and is regulated by the requirements of the Service, and not by the claims of individuals. Promotion in the Department is mainly by selection for merit, but my hon. Friend is misinformed if he thinks that seniority is altogether ignored. Selection always gives rise to imputations of favouritism, but it is not the case that promotions are determined by the Inspector of Pay Offices. They are very carefully considered in the War Office.
§ 39. Sir. C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that dissatisfaction is felt by acting paymasters at the salary they are now receiving, which is £250 a year plus a war bonus of 12½ per cent.; that, since the rates of pay were fixed, the cost of living has gone up considerably, and that the value of the sovereign has now brought the pay of the acting paymaster down to nearly half of its original value; that paymasters have to pay the full rates of civilian Income Tax, though that tax is not paid through Army funds and thereby not taxed by the Army rates; and in view of these facts, will he consider the possibility of raising the pay of acting paymasters?
§ Mr. FORSTERA number of specially selected acting paymasters have been advanced to a rate of £300 a year, and others have been granted temporary commissions, with the emoluments of Regular officers of the Department. As regards increased cost of living and incidence of Income Tax, these acting paymasters have been treated in exactly the same way as other civilians employed in the public service.