HC Deb 01 November 1939 vol 352 cc1906-9
8. Sir Ralph Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will ascertain how many instances there are under the Royal Air Force Pay Regulations, under which officers and other ranks are entitled to draw less pay with allowances when serving overseas than was due to them when serving at home stations and take the necessary steps forthwith to adjust the matter with retrospective effect?

The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood)

There is no instance of a reduction in pay. As regards allowances, there is one regulation of the nature referred to; it affects officers only, and I am now giving it further consideration.

Sir R. Glyn

It is a fact then, from the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman, that certain categories of officers are worse off on active service than they were at home?

Sir K. Wood

There are considerations on the other side, and I am now giving the matter my consideration.

9. Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there are officers of the Royal Air Force now serving overseas who have received no pay since the second week of September; and whether he will at once ask for a return from the various commands of the officers so affected and take such immediate steps as will relieve the position and enable officers' wives and relatives to obtain accommodation through their banking agents to meet their liabilities?

15. Sir Gifford Fox

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers of the Royal Air Force who have been called up have been without pay since mobilisation; and for what period they have been without such pay?

Sir K. Wood

Officers of the Royal Air Force are paid monthly in arrear. So far as I am aware, all serving officers at home and overseas have been credited with their pay for the month of September. I have, however, asked for confirmation from the various commands.

Mr. Perkins

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has been completely misinformed in this case, and that large numbers of officers, including Members of this House, have not received their pay or allowances?

Sir K. Wood

I am answering another question on that point.

Mr. A. V. Alexander

Is the Secretary of State aware that the wife of one of the men who did not return from the Kiel raid has received no payment yet?

Sir K. Wood

No, Sir, and if the right hon. Member will give me particulars I will inquire into the matter.

12. Mr. Perkins

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many of the 10 officers and sergeant pilots, who did an instructor's course at Perth ended on 14th October last, and how many of the 11 officers and sergeant pilots, who did a similar course at Prestwick and who are at present stationed at Hastings, have received their full pay and allowances for the month of September?

Sir K. Wood

All the officers and sergeant pilots in question have received their full pay and allowances for the month of September.

Mr. Perkins

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is misinformed, that my hon. Friend the Member for Bodmin (Mr. Rathbone) has had only three days' pay since the war started and that I have had only a fortnight's pay?

Sir K. Wood

I understand that owing to an error two sergeant pilots, of whom Sergeant Perkins was one, were not paid for the period after 27th September. The mistake has been rectified and the two sergeants have received all arrears of pay.

Mr. Perkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have here a large number of letters and telegrams which I have received this morning from men to the effect that they have not been paid?

Sir K. Wood

If the hon. Member will let me have them I will look into them.

13. Mr. Perkins

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that uniform allowances have not yet been paid to officers of the Royal Air Force Reserve who were mobilised during September; and whether he anticipates that these will be paid before the 1st January next?

Sir K. Wood

All officers who are entitled to the allowance are credited with it by the Royal Air Force agents at the same time as they are brought on pay.

14. Mr. Perkins

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the whole system of pay for reserve officers and airmen of the Royal Air Force is in a chaotic state; and what steps does he propose to enable the wives of these men to meet their obligations?

Sir K. Wood

I am satisfied that the pay system of the Royal Air Force is functioning efficiently having regard to the strain imposed by war conditions. Certain delays, due to causes which were not all within the control of the Air Ministry, have occurred in the payment of family allowances to the wives of airmen, but these allowances, numbering scores of thousands, have now been paid in full, except in 50 cases which are still the subject of inquiry and will be settled at the earliest possible date.

Miss Ward

Is my right hon. Friend going to introduce into the Air Force the new system which has been adopted by the War Office?

Sir K. Wood

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.