25. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for War whether those members of county and borough police forces who, in response to Lord Kitchener's appeal in 1914, were lent to the Army for the purpose of instructing recruits are to receive any monetary recognition of their services; and whether, in the case of men who subsequently enlisted, the period of service as Army instructors will be taken into consideration in fixing the amount of gratuity given on demobilisation?
§ Mr. FORSTERThese instructors received, in addition to their police pay, Army rations, accommodation, fuel and light, and, if separated from their families, Army separation allowances. I fear it is not possible to give them any special recognition. With regard to the last part of the question, I am afraid it is not possible to allow the service referred to to count for the gratuity.
Sir F. HALLWas not the service originally given by these people military service, and in those circumstances should it not count?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe service that counts for gratuity must be enlisted service. These men were not enlisted at the time to which my hon. Friend refers. I am afraid that if we made a departure from the basis on which the service gratuity is paid we should be landed in all sorts of difficulties.