§ 73. Colonel DU PREasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the pay of a second-lieutenant of the Royal Flying Corps was 12s. per day as equipment officer; whether on transfer to the Royal Air Force these officers received a form stating that their pay would not be reduced; and, if so, whether he can state why such an officer on promotion to 1594 lieutenant and appointment as court-martial officer was paid at the reduced rate of 11s. 6d. per day?
§ General SEELYThe pay of a second-lieutenant holding the appointment of equipment officer, third class, in the Royal Flying Corps was as stated in the question, and such officers, in common with others transferred to the Royal Air Force on its formation, were given an undertaking that they would not suffer in the matter of pay, so long as they continued to carry out duties similar to those falling to them prior to transfer. On vacating the appointment of equipment officer, on appointment as courts-martial officer, an officer of the Royal Air Force would be transferred from the technical to the administrative branch of the force, and would draw the rate of pay of his rank in that branch, whether higher or lower than his previous rate. If my hon. and gallant Friend will communicate with me on any particular case he may have in mind, I will have its merits investigated.