HC Deb 15 March 1949 vol 462 cc1895-6
41. Mr. Hugh Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that individual soldiers have not been issued with their Army Form No. 1483—the form indicating the state of the soldier's credit or debit balance—for as long as two years, despite requests, although these forms should be available to them at six-monthly intervals and that this has led to many soldiers failing, unknowingly, into debt; and what steps his Department proposes to take.

Mr. Shinwell

This Army form is normally initiated by a commanding officer whenever he wishes to check a soldier's rate of pay or to calculate the precise balance on the soldier's account. Only in exceptional cases is there delay in pay offices in furnishing the particulars required. In any event, provided the soldier's pay book is properly maintained there is no reason why he should fall unknowingly into debt even in the absence of this Army form. Units are required to maintain a record card showing details of the soldier's pay, income tax code number, allowances and balances ascertained from the pay office from time to time; the soldier has in his possession a pay book from which he can calculate the maximum payments to which he is entitled, and which shows the amounts actually drawn.

Mr. Fraser

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the war soldiers could, within the six months' period, apply to the centre for these forms; that that has ceased since the war, although there are probably only one-tenth as many men under arms; and will he explain that?

Mr. Shinwell

The best I can say about this matter is that I am now giving it very careful examination. I think it requires that. I want to make sure that the soldier does know what pay he is entitled to, and also exactly what debt he has incurred.

Major Legge-Bourke

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, with the frequent postings which men have to undergo nowadays, it is extremely difficult for the Pay Office to keep check on debit and credit balances?

Mr. Shinwell

The hon. and gallant Member is quite right; I have ascertained that it is the fact that frequent postings are largely the cause of the trouble. But even in spite of frequent postings I want to be sure that the soldier does know to what he is entitled.