HC Deb 15 July 1941 vol 373 cc430-1
12. Mr. Crowder

asked the Secretary of State for war whether a decision has now been reached as regards the payment of field allowance for officers?

Mr. Law

No decision has been reached to alter the conditions in regard to the payment of field allowance. Various proposals have been considered to get rid of the anomalies that admittedly arise in connection with this allowance, and there are still such proposals under examination.

Mr. Crowder

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Secretary of State said that he was aware of these anomalies four months ago, and can he expedite a settlement of this request?

Mr. Law

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend is very well aware of the urgency of this matter, but my hon. Friend should realise that there always have been anomalies in connection with field allowances and it is very difficult to get rid of them.

13. Mr. Crowder

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider raising the allowances for married subalterns to avoid the hardship which is apparent in so many cases?

15. Captain John Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement on allowances for married officers under the age of 30 years?

28. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now implement his undertaking to look into the question of officers' pay and allowances?

Mr. Law

The proposal to increase officers' allowances has raised some very difficult issues, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to give a definite reply.

Mr. Bellenger

Can the Minister give an indication whether this matter will be settled at an early date, because in the meantime officers are suffering under this disability?

Mr. Law

I can assure my hon. Friend that we are trying to get a settlement as soon as possible. If it is possible to do anything, we want that to be decided quickly, and if, on the other hand, it should prove to be impossible, we also want that to be decided quickly.

Mr. Bellenger

If a further Question is put down before The Recess, does my right hon. Friend think that he will be in a position to give a reply?

Mr. Law

I can only say that we shall do our best.

Sir John Mellor

Will any settlement be made retrospective?

Mr. Law

I do not know whether there will be any change made in the allowance, and I should very much doubt that, if there were, it would be made retrospective.