§ 25. Sir A. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the total annual saving to War Office estimates from the withdrawal of free passages for nurses for officers' children by military transports, withdrawal of allowances for officers' chargers, and other economies effected at the expense of officers during the present financial year; and whether he will await the report of the Willingdon Committee before taking further measures to effect economies at the expense of junior commissioned officers?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaFree passages for nurses and governesses of officers' children were discontinued as long ago as 1933 as part of a general revision of regulations governing sea passages and travelling. This withdrawal saved Army Votes about £2,000 a year, but at the same time travelling concessions were made for all ranks, costing over £4,000 a year. These include free return passages for families to stations abroad after accompanying invalided officers to this country, or having been invalided themselves; free passages to stations abroad for the brides of officers who marry while on leave and free conveyance of an officer's furniture from his old to his new home station, after return from foreign service. The annual saving to Army Votes by the withdrawal of what are known as second forages is about £4,000. It is incorrect, however, to regard this as an economy effected at the expense of the officer; it naturally follows from the mechanisation of the Army. I am not aware of any economies made during this year or in contemplation at the expense of officers. On the other hand, I would point out that concessions in respect of rations and ration allowances amounting to some £60,000 annually were made to 187 officers from the beginning of the present financial year.
§ Sir A. WilsonAm I to understand from my right hon. Friend that junior officers will get £60,000 in ration allowances?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThat is the figure which I gave.
§ Brigadier-General Clifton BrownIs my right hon. Friend aware that the withdrawal of the second forage allowance will discourage officers from joining, and that in the French Cavalry, although it is mechanised, they are still giving officers the forage allowance?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaWith regard to the second forage allowance, it was given to officers when they had a horse of their own, in addition to the charger to which they were entitled.