18. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Secretary of State for War what was the rate of pay of soldiers of the Royal Army Service Corps, classified as cleaners, on the 27th May, 1925; what will be the rate payable at the conclusion of their current engagement; whether there have been other reductions in the rates of pay of men in the Army since the 1st January this year; and, if so, what is the nature of the reductions and the number of men affected?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Captain Douglas King)Up to the 27th May, 1925, cleaners, Royal Army Service Corps, were classified as tradesmen in Trade Group E, of which the rate of pay is 3s., rising to 4s. after two years' service. From that date they ceased to be classified as tradesmen, and the pay of a cleaner is now the normal private's rate of 2s. 9d., rising to 3s. 6d. after two years' service. Men who were mustered as cleaners on the 27th May, 1925, retain their right to the Group F. trade rate until the termination of their current engagement; on entering upon a new engagement, if still employed as cleaners, they can only draw the normal rates of pay. As regards other reductions since January, 1925, there has been the reclassification of motor drivers and drivers of steam lorries and tractors from Trade Group C to Group E; I would refer the hon. Member to Army Order 213 of 1925 for details. The number of cleaners is about 350, and the number of motor drivers, etc., is about 5,000.