HC Deb 08 April 1930 vol 237 cc1930-2
16. Mr. FREEMAN

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his intention to reconsider the question of the proposed reductions of the ration allowance to non-commissioned officers and men when on leave from 1s. 7d. to 1s. 0¾d. per day?

4. Mr. OLDFIELD

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount per day of ration money supplied to non-commissioned officers and men on leave prior to and after 1st April, 1930?

Mr. T. SHAW

To prevent possible misapprehension, I would point out that all ranks, including officers, draw the same rates of ration allowance under the same conditions. The lower rate of 1s. 0¾d. a day now admissible during leave represents the actual cost of the ration to the public, whereas the higher rate of 1s. 7d. represents the estimated retail cost of the same food. The higher rate is now only admissible in cases where the recipient is prevented by the exigencies of the Service from drawing rations in kind, a condition which obviously does not cover leave of absence taken for private purposes. The saving resulting from the change is not considerable in the case of any individual, but the aggregate of these savings has provided me with funds for the removal of a number of anomalies and hardships affecting all ranks which have long called for remedy. I am reconsidering the matter.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the economy is?

Mr. SHAW

In 1925, I think it was, a Committee was set up in connection with the Treasury to rearrange certain payments made and to give help to certain cases that were very hard. That had to be done with the money at our disposal, and the result is that a diminution was made in the pay of men who go on furlough, but I have promised to reconsider the matter.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

How much was the saving?

Mr. SHAW

I are afraid that I cannot carry in my mind the gross sums, but I will, with the hon. Member's permission, send him the figures.

Mr. FREEMAN

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what benefits are proposed to be given to the men in view of this reduction?

Mr. SHAW

There are certain benefits of a very substantial kind given to men, particularly married men, serving abroad.