§ 41. Mr. PERKINSasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether, in view of the stoppage of separation allowance to soldiers of Labour Battalions engaged in agriculture and living at home, he will see that the wages to be paid by farmers to such soldiers shall be at the rates proposed by the local agricultural wages boards; and whether, to meet the claim of these men that while they are retained by the Army they ought to be paid by the Army, he can see his way to allow these men their Army pay for weekdays in addition to whatever wages they may be paid as agricultural labourers?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)All farmers are under contract to pay the full civil rates for the locality, and I shall be glad to make inquiries in any case brought to my notice in which a soldier does not receive the rate fixed by the wages board. I regret I cannot increase the amounts now allowed as Army pay.