§ Mr. SIMMONS(by Private Notice) asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if any special steps have been taken to explain to the troops at Aldershot the reasons for the reduction in pay that they are to be called upon to suffer as a result of the Economy Bill?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)A letter was sent to all Commands and was reproduced as an Army Council Instruction in the following terms:
I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that the present state of the national finances has necessitated the adoption of widespread measures of economy throughout the country. In these measures the Army and all the Services of the Crown have been called upon to bear their share. The Army Council are confident that all ranks will he ready to make the sacrifices demanded of them in order to contribute to the restoration of national prosperity.Steps have been, and are being taken to explain to all ranks the incidence of, and the reasons for the reductions.
§ Mr. SIMMONSAre we to understand from that reply that all ranks have willingly and without protest accepted these cuts?
§ Mr. COOPERThe sacrifice has been accepted by all ranks in a spirit that is worthy of the best traditions of the Army.
§ Mr. MATHERSWill steps be taken by the Army authorities to consider questions of hardship involved, in the same way as is being done in the Navy?
§ Mr. COOPERThe Army Council have taken careful note of every case of hardship that is involved, and a special committee of the Army Council has been set up to inquire into them and to see how they can be dealt with.
§ Mr. SIMMONSAre the soldiers themselves being consulted? [interruption.]
§ Mr. COOPERI did not hear that question.