§ 27. Mr. Heathcoat Amoryasked the Secretary of State for War if, in order to encourage territorial recruitment and in view of the heavy burden which would fall on employers in making up normal earnings of men during their annual training, he will consider the advisability of increasing the bounty to those who attend annual training, particularly in the case of married men.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe territorial volunteer can qualify for a maximum annual bounty of £8 and no part of this can be earned 1949 if the man does not attend annual camp, unless, in exceptional circumstances, he is excused. While at the camp he receives full Army pay and, if he is married, marriage allowance of 35s. a week, or more according to rank. There is, I think, no case for further differentiation in favour of the married man. It will not be possible to increase the amount of the bounty.
Mr. AmoryWill the right hon. Gentleman consider that the suggestion of a substantial increase in the bounty of Rio or L12 a year for a man who fulfils all the training commitments would in the long run prove a useful and economic way of promoting interest in, and increasing the efficiency of, the Territorial Army?
§ Mr. ShinwellI cannot convince myself that Territorial recruitment and interest in the Territorial Army is exclusively based on monetary considerations.