HC Deb 17 November 1936 vol 317 cc1503-4
58. Mr. MABANE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that there is no apparent reason for supposing that service in the non-commissioned ranks of the Army is less arduous or requires less skill and intelligence than service in the non-commissioned ranks of the Air Force, he will state why the pay of soldiers is lower than the pay of airmen?

Mr. COOPER

The rates of pay were fixed by a Cabinet Committee after very careful examination, and I do not think there is any real discrepancy.

Mr. MABANE

Does not the Secretary of State think that the deficiencies to which he has previously referred would have been met if the pay and opportunities in the Army were improved; and does he not think that he would have the full support of this House in making any such proposals to it?

Mr. COOPER

The slight divergencies to which the hon. Member has referred in the question only affect the pay of tradesmen in the two forces, and do not affect the ordinary rate of pay of men joining the forces.