§ 64. Sir J. Mellorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the statement in Command Paper 6385 that the charge in a typical Government hostel is 27s. 6d. per week for lodging and partial board, he will authorise an increase in the maximum allowance of £1 1s. payable for the board and lodging of a billeted person?
§ Sir K. WoodThe 27s. 6d. a week referred to in the White Paper represents what munition workers customarily paid for board and lodgings in the munition areas. It is therefore a commercial or market figure. The guinea paid to billetors of civil servants is not of this nature. Like other billeting payments, it is intended to reimburse the householder for the expense to which he is put. As my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary stated on 19th February, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle), I do not think that any revision of the billeting guinea is called for.
§ Sir J. MellorMy right hon. Friend has put forward the figure of 27s. 6d. per week in justification of the scale of Army pay and allowances; would it hot, therefore, be quite right to compare that figure with the figure paid to persons who are required to billet evacuees?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir; that is repeating the Question, and I can only repeat my answer.