HC Deb 30 July 1940 vol 363 cc1143-8
25. Mr. Silkin

asked the Secretary of State for War why there is substantial delay in the case of men who become entitled to increased pay either by promotion or otherwise, in their obtaining the increase?

Mr. Eden

Commanding officers can authorise the issue of increased pay to soldiers as soon as they become entitled to it. In the case of acting rank, however, increased pay is not admissible until the rank has been held for 21 days. It is then issuable with retrospective effect.

29. Mr. Liddall

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in many instances officers of long periods of active service in the present war are still without payment of allowances due to them on acting and temporary rank, respectively; what is the reason for this delay; and whether, to obviate the hardship, he will take steps to see that through command paymasters, bankers, or otherwise, payment is made forthwith in every case of arrears?

Mr. Eden

In the case of officers, payments in respect of acting and temporary rank are authorised by paymasters and agents as soon as the promotions appear in the War Office or Command Orders. In view of events of the past few months, my hon. Friend will appreciate that the normal processes of recording and notifying promotions made by commanders have been inevitably delayed, but I am looking into the matter with a view to arranging that outstanding cases should be cleared up with the least possible delay.

Mr. Liddall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are officers to whom arrears for their wives' extra allowances have been accumulating for eight or nine months? What steps are they to take, whom are they to approach, to get this pay?

Mr. Eden

If my hon. Friend has cases of that kind, I shall be grateful if he will give me particulars. I know that there has been delay, for the reasons which I have given, and I am anxious that it should be cleared up.

Mr. Liddall

If I give specific cases, as I can, with the officers' names, will my right hon. Friend see that they are not prejudiced as a result?

Major Milner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present system is much less satisfactory and more troublesome than the simple system for the payment of officers in the last war? Will he look into the two systems?

Mr. Eden

It is a very complicated subject. I do not accept that altogether.

65. Mr. Burke

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an estimate of the cash values of the pay and emoluments of an unmarried private with no dependant's allowances, and of a married private receiving allowance for a wife and child; and also of the cash values of the various grades of commissioned officers under similar domestic circumstances, as given in the case of privates?

Mr. Eden

As the statement is long and complicated, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

Pay and Allowances of Combatant Officers.
Daily Rates.
Rank. Pay. Accommodation and rations for officer himself. Family lodging allowance issuable in respect of family of a married officer with wife and one child. Totals.
Unmarried officer. Married officer with wife and one child.
Lodging allowance. Fuel and light allowance (average). Ration allowance. If officer is 30 years of age or over. If officer is under 30 years of age. Officer who is 30 years of age or over. Officer who is under 30 years of age.
s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.
Second-lieutenant … 11 0 2 6 8 2 2 6 0 4 6 16 4 22 4 20 10
Lieutenant … … 13 0 2 6 8 2 2 6 0 4 6 18 4 24 4 22 10
After 6 years' service After 6 years' service After 6 years' service After 6 years' service
14 6 19 10 25 10 24 4
Captain … … … 16 6 2 6 8 2 2 7 6 4 6 21 10 29 4 26 4
After 11 years' service After 11 years' service After 11 years' service After 11 years' service
19 0 24 4 31 10 28 10
After 14 years' service After 14 years' service After 14 years' service
23 6 28 10 36 4 Not applicable
Major … … … 28 6 4 0 1 5 2 2 7 6 4 6 36 1 43 7 40 7
After 22 years' service After 22 years' service After 22 years' service
33 6 41 1 48 7 Not applicable
Lieut.-Colonel … … 43 0 4 6 2 6 2 2 9 1 4 6 52 2 61 3 56 8
(average) (average)
Notes.—As regards married officers, the above particulars relate to the case of a married officer who is separated from his family by reason of being on service, this being the position of the majority of married officers in present circumstances.
Lodging, fuel and light and rations will usually be provided in kind for an officer, but the allowances shewn in the above table are those issuable when he is required to provide them himself.

Pay and Allowances of a Private Soldier.
Daily Rates.
Rank. Pay. Accommodation and rations for soldier himself. Family Allowance for Wife and one child. Totals.
Lodging Allowance. Fuel and Light Allowance (average). Ration Allowance. Unmarried Private. Married Private with wife and one child.
s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.
Private … From 2s. for a non-tradesman on first joining to 5s. 9d. for a skilled tradesman with more than three years' service. 1 3 5 2 7 3 3…4 (with an additional 6d. if the family is residing in the London Postal Area). From 6s. 3d. to 10s. From 9s. 6.4d. to 13s. 3.4d. (with an additional 6d. if the family is residing in the London Postal Area).
Notes.—Lodging, fuel and light and rations will usually be provided in kind for a soldier, but the allowances shown in the above table are those issuable when he is required to provide them himself.
As regards married soldiers, the above particulars relate to the case of a soldier who is separated from his family by reason of his being on service, this being the position of the majority of soldiers in present circumstances.