§ 72. Captain LOSEBYasked the Pensions Minister whether soldiers compulsorily retained to form part of the Army of Occupation in Germany or who subsequently form the said Army receive the war bonus retrospectively or otherwise as from 1st February, 1919, whereas soldiers who owing to their good service are only temporarily retained do not receive such bonus; and will he take steps to secure for all soldiers who form part, temporarily or otherwise, of the Army of Occupation payment of the bonus as from 1st February, 1919?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe bonus is payable only to men who are definitely retained for duty in the Armies of Occupation and not to those who will be demobilised in their turn at the earliest possible date. Anyone can obtain the increased bonuses by volunteering to join the Armies of Occupation.
§ Captain LOSEBYDoes not this unnecessarily penalise men who have borne the brunt of the War?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir, I do not think so. It is the foundation of the scheme that we lately announced that one-quarter of the Army are offered the increased bonus and are compelled to remain and that three-quarters are denied the increased bonus and will be demobilised as rapidly as possible.