HC Deb 18 March 1946 vol 420 cc1522-5
48. Mr. Garry Allighan

asked the Prime Minister if he will set out the position of the W.L.A. in respect of clothing coupon surrender on recruitment, clothing and boots during service, clothing and coupons on discharge, length of notice before dismissal for illness, free travel, cheap cigarettes, board and lodging, laundering, use of N.A.A.F.I. canteens, gratuity on discharge, entitlement to resettlement grant and reinstatement rights; and if he will give similar facts for each of the women's auxiliary services.

The Prime Minister

As the information is lengthy and voluminous I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Women's Land Army. A.T.S W.R.N.S W.A.A.F.
Clothing Coupon surrender on recruitment. For use of Government provided uniform 10 coupons arc surren dered each rationing year from the civilian allowance plus 10 supplementary coupons for Agricultural workers. Civilian clothing book surrendered … As A.T.S … As A.T.S.
Clothing and Boots provided during service. Overcoat, oilskin or mac, hat, sou'wester, breeches two pairs, 3 shirts, 2 woollen pullovers, 6 pairs socks, 1 pair shoes, 1 pair boots, gumboots or boots with leggings, 2 overall coats, 2 dungarees. Replacements as necessary, normally once a year. Different conditions applied in 1942, 1943 and 1944. All provided … … … All provided with kit upkeep allow ance. As A.T.S.
Clothing and coupons on discharge. Bonus issue of 20 coupons after and up to 4 years' service, 30 coupons after 4 and up to 5 years' service and 35 coupons after 5 years. After 6 months service greatcoat, shoes and shirt are retained No clothing in kind. Grant of£12 10s. and 56 coupons plus 90 more coupons after at least one months' service. Certain articles of uniform and underclothes are re-retained. As A.T.S As A.T.S.
Length of notice before dismissal for illness. One week … … … … … … … … If discharged on medical grounds 56 days' paid leave is granted plus any for overseas service. As A.T.S As A.T.S.
Free travel … After each 3 months full time and satisfactory service, free travel warrants are issued. At present 4 privilege leave warrants per year. As A.T.S … As A.T.S.
Cheap cigarettes … No special arrangement … … … … … … Yes … … … … … Yes … … Yes.
Board and lodging … Where a Land Army member is provided with board and lodging by her employer on the farm or elsewhere, the farmer is entitled to make a deduction from wages in respect of the board and lodging which he provides at maximum rates fixed under Orders of the Agricultural Wages Board. Where a Land Army member lives in a private billet she receives her weekly wage in full and herself pays for her board and lodging. But Land Army Regulations prescribe that she shall be left with a cash wage of at least 22s. 6d. a week, apart from earnings by overtime. Free or an allowance is paid … … As A.T.S. … As A.T.S
Laundering … … No special arrangement … … … … … … Free for approved scale … … As. A.T.S. … As A.T.S.
Use of N.A.A.F.I. CanteensGratuity on discharge. Land Army members are not members of H.M. Forces and consequently are not admitted to N.A.A.F.I. Canteens where admission is restricted to service personnel. None. There is, however, a W.L.A. Benevolent Fund to which the Government has made substantial contributions. Yes … … … … … Yes … … Yes.
Gratuity on discharge None. There is, however, a W.L.A. Benevolent Fund to which tyhe Government has made substantial contributions. Yes, on rank and length of service … As A.T.S. … A.T.S
Resettlement Grant Ex-members of the. Women's Land Army are not eligible under the Resettlement Grant Scheme. Eligible … … … … As A.T.S. … As A.T.S
Reinstatement rights. Service in the Women's Land Array does not confer rights under the Reinstatement in civil employment Act. Eligible … … … … As A.T.S … As A.T.S