HC Deb 15 March 1944 vol 398 cc212-3
6. Mr. W. J. Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that members of the R.A.F. returning from North Africa and Italy experience as much as three months' delay in getting their pay books transferred to England, during which time they are financially embarassed; and whether he will take steps to speed up this process.

The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)

Airmen on returning home from overseas bring their pay books with them. I am aware that there were delays in payment in the past because of the time taken to reach this country of the pay transfer documents which contain essential particulars not included in the pay books. Arrangements have now been made for airmen on disembarkation in the United Kingdom to draw an advance of 75 per cent. of the balance of pay due to them as shown in their pay books, while extensive use is also being made of microgram facilities to secure the speedier transmission of the documents concerned. I hope that these measures will serve to eliminate avoidable delays in future.

Mr. Brown

Can the Minister say when the arrangement to advance 75 per cent. of the pay books balance came into operation?

Captain Balfour

On 10th January, 1944.

Mr. Brown

Is the Minister aware that, as recently as last week, airmen coming from Africa landed with no advance of pay and have had to be helped out privately by their friends?

Captain Balfour

I am not aware of that, and if the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars of such cases, I shall be very glad to look into them.