§ 25. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Secretary of State for War why a married soldier who previously would have received £1 7s. for attending week-end Territorial Army training now only receives 8s.; and if he will take immediate steps to ensure that every encouragement possible is given to week-end training in the Territorial Army.
§ Mr. ShinwellUnder the new arrangements, men are eligible for pay and free rations for training periods in excess of eight hours. Under the previous arrangements, by being in camp on Friday night for the week-end, it was possible to qualify for pay and full allowances, whereas the man who could not get there till Saturday, although he did the same amount of training, could only qualify for a maximum of 9s. 0d. training expenses allowance, out of which he had to pay for his rations. The revision was made to obviate anomalies of this sort, and the great majority of men benefit substantially from the change.
§ Major Legge-BourkeDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that a marriage allowance is not now permissible, that many of these men have to go very long distances to do their training, and are put to considerable inconvenience and expense?
§ Mr. ShinwellThat is quite a different question.