HC Deb 20 February 1918 vol 103 cc882-4

Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER (Mr. Whitley), pursuant to the Order of the House of the 13th February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."

Mr. HOGGE

I should like to take advantage of the presence of the Financial Secretary to ask him one or two questions. I think the information is wanted by a large number of men. Can he tell us whether the increased pay which is available to men from 29th September has all been paid yet, or is it not the case that a large number of units are still in doubt as to whether the pay has actually reached them? Can he also tell us whether the 1914 Star ribbon which is being handed out to the men at the front can be obtained by the men at home who are in the position of having fought during that time?

Mr. FORSTER

I do not know why the pay should not have reached the men. If the hon. Member will give me any cases he knows of where it has not I will have it looked into. There may be one or two individual cases, or it may be that there are men who think they are entitled to it who are not entitled. What was done was to raise the minimum pay to 1s. 6d., including the old Class 2, proficiency pay and engineer pay. It brings it up to a level of 1s. 6d. a day. If they were receiving more than 1s. 6d. a day they would not benefit from that aspect of the changes which were made, but they would still benefit by the penny a day for each year of war service.

Mr. HOGGE

Will my right hon. Friend call for reports from the various paymasters, as to whether they have paid out these increases?

Mr. FORSTER

I will see what can be done.

Mr. MACPHERSON

With regard to the other question put by the hon. Member, if men entitled to the riband will apply to the officer commanding their regiment for it they will get it.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the hon. Gentleman say why when men at home do apply for it they cannot get it? I can give him the names of many men at home who have so applied and cannot get it.

Mr. MACPHERSON

If the hon. Member will send me any case I will inquire into it.

Mr. HOGGE

I will give you as many as you want.

Mr. MACPHERSON

I shall be glad to inquire into them. The proper procedure, as I have pointed out, is to apply to the officer in charge of the regiment.

Question put, and agreed to.

Adjourned at Five minutes after Eleven of the clock.