§ 43. Colonel Sir HENRY NORRISasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that some hundreds of subalterns, married men, who have been serving for practically the whole period of the War, have now been accepted for the Army of Occupation; that large numbers of these officers have no other means beyond their pay, and that in most cases an entirely new outfit, costing at the least £30, will be necessary; and whether he will, in order to meet this expenditure, advise the immediate payment of 50 per cent. of the gratuity so far earned but which would not otherwise be payable until the final termination of the officer's service?
Captain GUEST (Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)Every subaltern accepted for the Army of Occupation draws 3s. 6d. or 4s. per day extra pay from the 1st February by reason of being accepted. It is not considered desirable to anticipate the payment of the gratuity as suggested.