§ 27. Mr. CAIRNSasked whether the women telegraphists in the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps enlisted for the duration of war; whether he is aware that these conditions were precisely similar to those under which the men enlisted, and that members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment, nursing sisters, and Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps' doctors received a retention bonus and gratuity on discharge; and whether, in these circumstances, he will explain the refusal to pay a retention bonus and gratuity on discharge to the women telegraphists who did such excellent service with the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONAs regards the bonus, I must refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for West Bromwich on the 16th instant. As regards gratuity, no member of the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps is eligible for it.