§ 15. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for War whether consideration is being given to improving the pay of captains whose present rate of 16s. 6d. per day compares unfavourably with the old rate of 19s., and with the present rate for a major of 28s. 6d. per day?
§ Sir J. GriggI would refer my hon. Friend to the announcement by the Lord President of the Council on 26th November that captains who have completed three years' service in the rank will be eligible for 17s. 6d. a day.
§ Major MilnerIs it not a fact that this will only apply to those who have been so inefficient that they have been three years in one rank, and that there will be very few eligible? Is not that so?
§ 30. Major Markhamasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are few captains eligible for the rise in pay of 1s. a day for captains of three years' service recently announced; and whether, in order to make the concession of practical value, he will extend it to all captains of two years in that rank?
§ Sir J. GriggI regret I cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.
§ Major MarkhamIs it not a fact that there are so few officers to whom this increase of pay has been given that the whole thing is slightly farcical and creates an impression among officers that what the War Office and the Treasury are trying to do is to give a paper concession which in reality provides no concession at all?
§ Sir J. GriggI do not accept that statement of the case. This matter was fully investigated, and a statement of policy 1746 was made by the Lord President of the Council, to which I have nothing to add.