HC Deb 16 November 1920 vol 134 cc1672-3
10. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the grant of increased travelling allowances to Territorial Army instructors would apply to only an extremely small number of Regular soldiers, looking to the fact that the great bulk of the rest of the Army are housed in barracks and no travelling is involved; with regard to associations having authority to rent, purchase, or construct accommodation for Territorial instructors, whether he is aware that every case has to be referred to the War Office for special authority, that delay must ensue, with the almost inevitable result that the opportunity would be lost, so great being the demand for property of the description required; and whether, in view of the inadequacy of the ordinary lodging allowances authorised by the allowance regulations to Territorial Army instructors, he will authorise an increase for those men whose duties lie in London?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON (Parliamentary Secretary, War Office)

The number of Regular soldiers, other than permanent staff instructors, on the lodging list is at least as many as the permanent staff instructors on the lodging list. As regards the purchase or renting of accommodation, when this proves necessary, in cases of urgency all the necessary particulars can be furnished in a telegram, and this is frequently done. Territorial Force County Associations have the power to secure that instructors are not out of pocket on account of necessary expenses of accommodation in excess of their lodging allowance.