§ 36. Captain Sir GEORGE BOWYERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that members of the Royal Air Force in Iraq, whilst in hospital, are deprived of their Colonial allowance and have to pay 2s. 6d. a day as a hospital charge, thus undergoing a total loss of 11s. 6d. a day; and whether he will see that this Colonial allowance is restarted forthwith and/or what other help he can give?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEMy Noble Friend is aware of the facts stated by the hon. and gallant Member, but he does not see his way to alter the regulations upon this subject. The charge of 2s. 6d. a day is the normal hospital stoppage for officers, and the issue of Colonial allowance is also properly suspended since it is not an ordinary emolument, but an additional allowance granted solely to meet the extra cost of living in a command abroad as compared with the coat at home. When an officer is in hospital and is not subject to the additional expenses which the allowance is intended to cover its continued issue is clearly not justified.
§ Sir G. BOWYERWill the hon. Gentleman call for a report on this matter from Iraq and thus learn of the great difficulties and distress of feeling which there is in that country upon this subject at this time?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI would point out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that there is no marriage rate in Iraq at all. The marriage state is not recognised in that respect there.