HC Deb 08 January 1942 vol 377 cc26-8
45. Miss Ward

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement on the Government's proposals with regard to Service allowances as a result of the examination of the problems raised?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)

This examination is proceeding, and I hope that it may be possible to make a statement at an early date.

Miss Ward

While thanking my right hon. Friend, might I ask whether if I put down a Question for the next Sitting Day, he will be in a position to answer it?

Mr. Attlee

If the hon. Member will put down a Question, I will endeavour to answer it.

Major Lyons

Does my right hon. Friend understand that this is really a pressing matter, on which there is great feeling throughout the country?

61. Capt. Anstruther-Gray

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give any figures which would indicate how the weekly earnings of regular sailors, soldiers and airmen, married and single, respectively, have increased as compared with October, 1938?

Sir K. Wood

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the information for which he asks in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information: The minimum rates of pay of Regular sailors, soldiers and airmen in October, 1938, and those in force at the present time are as follow:
Rank. Rate of Pay.
October, 1938. December, 1941.
s. d. s. d.
Ordinary Seaman * *
Private or Airman 14 0 p.w. 17 6 p.w.
including war pay.
*N.B. These are the rates payable on entry. Additions are made for proficiency, for length of service and on promotion.

In addition to pay—

(1) Family Allowances are payable in respect of wives and children of married men—

October, 1938. December, 1941.
s. d. s. d.
For a wife 17 0 p.w. 18 0 p.w.
For a wife and 1 child 22 6 p.w. 25 6 p.w.
For a wife and 2 children 26 0 p.w. 31 0 p.w.
For a wife and 3 children 28 0 p.w. 35 0 p.w.
For a wife and 4 children 29 6 p.w. 39 0 p.w.
increased by 1/- a week for each subsequent child. increased by 4/- a week for each subsequent child.

The above rates of family allowance are supplemented by a minimum allotment of 7s. a week from the man's pay. (2) Dependants Allowances are payable in respect of dependants of unmarried or married men (not issuable concurrently with family allowance). October, 1938.—Nil. December, 1941.—13s. to 25s. a week (inclusive of contribution from the man's pay) according to extent of pre-enlistment support. (3) War Service Grants, i.e., supplementary allowances payable by reference to individual circumstances in addition to family or dependants allowance. October, 1938.—Nil. December, 1941.—Up to £3 a week according to need. In addition to the above rates of pay and allowances, sailors, soldiers and airmen are provided with free food, clothing and accommodation, medical and dental treatment and various amenities. They are thus protected to a substantial degree against the effect of increases in the cost of living. The value of their emoluments must therefore be regarded as having been increased since October, 1938, not only by the amount of the increases in pay and family allowances shown above but also by the extent to which the cost of items provided in kind has risen since that date.
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