HC Deb 28 February 1951 vol 484 cc2086-7
52. Mr. Low

asked the Minister of Defence whether he has yet reached a decision concerning the payment of £4 bounties to officers who are to be called up for 15 days' service this summer.

Mr. Shinwell

Yes, Sir. The £4 bounty which is to be paid to soldiers and airmen of the Z and G Reserve will also be payable to officers of comparable classes.

Mr. McAdden

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the value of the £4 bounty is being considerably reduced by the failure of the Minister of Trans-port—

Mr. Speaker

A supplementary question must be relevant to the Question which has been asked.

57. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Minister of Defence what gratuities he proposes to recommend for Service personnel called up for the present emergency.

Mr. Shinwell

As stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 29th January, Class Z and G reservists will receive a tax-free bounty of £4. As regards officers of comparable classes, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I have given today to the hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Low).

Mr. H. A. Price

Can the Minister yet answer a Question which I put to him a week ago with regard to the bounty of those men who are retained in the Services beyond their original enlistment period?

Mr. Shinwell

The hon. Member will appreciate that that is a much wider question.

Brigadier Clarke

Will the Minister try to bring the Navy and Army into line? The Secretary of State for War has now allowed gratuities to be paid to the Army, but the Navy will not do the same.

Mr. Shinwell

As the hon. and gallant Member is well aware, conditions in the three Services sometimes differ.