§ 12. Sir Robert Youngasked the Secretary of Slate for War whether he is aware that certain people, including married women, in connection with R.E.M.E. were transferred from one workplace to another; that some classes of workpeople are compensated for the extra expense incurred while others only get compensation for one week of the extra expense; and will he explain the reason for this difference in treatment when all undergo the same inconvenience.
Sir J. GriģģWhen a transfer of this kind has to take place, the allowances provided to meet the necessary extra expense of the move are paid indefinitely to married men, or single men with equivalent domestic responsibilities, if they do not move their families or dependants to the new station. It is considered that a single man can find lodgings at his new station at no greater expense than at the old one and the allowance is normally paid in such circumstances for one week only. As a rule a married woman is in the same position in this respect as a single man and is treated accordingly, but the case of a married woman who takes accommodation for herself at her new station and has commitments at her old station is dealt with on the lines of the rules for married men.
Sir R. Younģ:Will my right hon. Friend take into consideration that it is not easy, in these days, to transfer from one lodgings to another within a week, especially in an area that is fully occupied?
Sir J. GriģģI should be very glad if my hon. Friend would give me particulars of the case in question, in order that I may look into the matter on the basis of a concrete case and not a generalised case.