§ 17. Mr. HICKSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the wages per week paid to the limber gunners at the school of artillery, Lark[...]ill, Salisbury Plain; whether these men receive any other allowance and, if so, what is its nature; what is the reason for such a low scale of payment; and whether there are any other War Department employés who receive less than £2 a week, including any allowances?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)The authorised rate of cash wages of these employés at the present time is 24s. 9d. plus Civil Service bonus, total 37s. 2d. In addition, they receive from public funds an issue of clothing on first employment, with an allowance after 12 months of 2s. 3d. a month for its upkeep. The figure of 24s. 9d. represents a rate of 25s. agreed upon by the appropriate Industrial Whitley Council in 1931 as a basic rate for this class of labour, less a deduction of 3d. a week in respect of clothing. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.