HC Deb 08 October 1946 vol 427 c15
31. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now examined the many complaints made by officers who considered themselves financially worse off under the new Code of Pay and Allowances announced in Command Paper 6750; and what substance he has found in these complaints.

Mr. Bellenger

Certain complaints have been received but examination has confirmed that there is no substance in the suggestion that officers who were serving before 1st July, 1946, became financially worse off from that date by reason of the operation of the new code. As indicated in the White Paper, special arrangements were in fact made to safeguard the position of such officers. From the long term aspect I am satisfied that the new code offers a career which can well stand comparison with the attractions of professional careers in civil life requiring corresponding qualifications.

Major Beamish

Was it the intention of the new code of pay that considerable numbers of senior officers of field rank and higher should be worse off than they were under the old code?

Mr. Bellenger

I am not satisfied that that is the case.