§ 35. Mr. BEAUMONT (for Captain HAROLD BALFOUR)asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air in what directions and to what financial extent the Air Ministry consider the recently introduced scales of lodging and travelling allowances will be of benefit to Royal Air Force officers below the rank of group captain?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe reply being necessarily of some length, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the reply:
The revision of the regulations in question will benefit officers below the rank of group captain in be following respects:
(1) The rates of lodging allowance for stations outside Europe are being increased for both married and single officers.
(2) Lodging allowance will be issued to married officers during absence from duty in certain circumstances not previously recognised.
(3) A new furniture allowance of 2s. a day, in addition to lodging allowance, will be issued to married officers for whom furnished married quarters are not available.
(4) The new rates of subsistence (travelling allowance) will not be subject to deduction of ration allowance, as are certain of the present rates.
(5) Conveyance of furniture will be allowed for married officers on permanent change of station in the United Kingdom as a new concession.
(6) Certain other concessions will be made as regards travelling expenses of officers and their families in the circumstances set forth in paragraphs 2 to 9 of the Air Ministry Weekly Order No. 58 of 1930, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. 413 It is impossible to state the extent to which officers will benefit financially as a result of the new regulations. The effect depends in each case upon the rank and the station of the officer, whether he is married or single, whether quarters are available for him, etc. On the whole there is no doubt that the new regulations will result in a distinct financial benefit to officers.