§ 42. Mr. CROOKSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that men who are being discharged from the Royal Arsenal are receiving the bonus to which they are entitled on the basis of their pre-war rates of wages; and whether, in view of the present cost of living and the increased wages which have been granted to meet this, he will consider granting to discharged men the bonus on the basis of their present rates?
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)I have arranged to answer this question for my hon. Friend. All war-wage advances and war bonuses which have been granted on a purely temporary basis have, in accordance with the general practice, been excluded in the calculation of gratuities and pensions alike. The normal standard rates of pay have always been the basis for superannuation purposes, and I fear this basis cannot be disturbed. Temporary advances are always understood to be non-pensionable and non-gratuitable.