HC Deb 25 November 1919 vol 121 cc1603-4
16. Mr. F. ROBERTS

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he was aware that many members of the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, who had served in France for considerable periods were being paid the sum of £2 to cover the whole of their expenses during the period of twenty-eight days' demobilisation furlough; whether such a payment was adequate in the special circumstances of to day; whether he would cause this matter to be reviewed?

(2) whether he was aware that the women in the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps alleged that great delay occurred in the payment of the balance of pay due on demobilisation, and that as much as three months' delay was occur ring; and whether he would take immediate steps to remove such a ground for complaint?

Mr. FORSTER

The £2 to which the hon. Member refers is of course only an advance, and it has been customary for members to receive payments in excess of their normal pay prior to their departure from overseas, which has the effect of reducing the amounts due to them on final discharge. I do not think there is ground for the suggestion that delay in the payment of balances of pay due on demobilisation is general, but if the hon. Member has information of any particular cases to the contrary, and would let me have details, I shall be glad to have them investigated.

17. Mr. F. ROBERTS

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the reasons which prompted the authorities to differentiate between the men and women in the matter of the bonus for retention of machinery of demobilisation for the Army of Occupation; and whether, in view of the important work on which the women telegraphists attached to the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps are engaged, he will consider the payment of a bonus of 10s. 6d. weekly?

Mr. FORSTER

The great majority of the men concerned were soldiers compulsorily retained with the Colours while other soldiers doing similar duties were released. There was nothing in any way similar to this in the case of any of the women, and I am afraid I can hold out no hope of any further bonus for them.