HC Deb 14 December 1948 vol 459 cc1004-5
37 and 38. Mr. Donner

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he is aware that Reserved Rights under Pay Code 1946 permit no increase of marriage allowance to 23 per cent. of the men in an Army camp in Hampshire; and whether he proposes to take any steps to amend the new regulations with a view to enabling so substantial a minority to receive some benefit;

(2) whether he is aware that war excess does not permit any benefit to accrue to 62 per cent. of the men in an Army camp in Hampshire, National Service men omitted, as a result of the regulations governing the recent increases in pay; and whether he proposes to take any steps to make these increases apply more generally.

Mr. Shinwell

The answer to the second parts of both Questions is "No." The old code rates of marriage allowance payable under reserved rights and the war excess on pay which are referred to in the first parts of these Questions result from special arrangements for cases in which marriage allowance or pay under the old code exceeded rates admissible under the 1946 code. These special arrangements provide no justification for increases to marriage allowance and pay additional to those recently announced. As regards the percentages quoted, I am informed that, taking the Army as a whole, excluding National Service men, under 8 per cent. of married other ranks now receive old code rates of marriage allowance under reserved rights and under 8 per cent. of married and single other ranks now receive war excess on pay.

Mr. Donner

In view of the propaganda advertising the effects of the recent increases in pay, will not the Minister do something to make it a reality for the majority in some camps, and certainly take some steps to remove the widespread sense of grievance, bitterness and disappointment of these men?

Mr. Shinwell

It may be that in some particular camp there is a large number of men in this category; but, after all, it is not possible to eat one's cake and have it. These men did receive war excess pay, and we have to take that into account. We had to take that into account in the recent war.

Mr. Donner

Would the Minister look into it again from the point of view of the unfortunate effect this must have on recruiting?

Mr. Shinwell

I am not so sure that it has an unfortunate effect on recruiting, if the hon. Member refers to Regular recruiting, which for the Army is going very well.