§ 18. Mr. Woodrow Wyattasked the Secretary of State for War why he is reconsidering the question of payment of overseas allowances to officers and men in Korea.
§ Mr. HeadThis is a question about which I wish to acquaint myself fully before either upholding or reversing previous policy.
§ Mr. WyattDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that when he sat on this side of the House he was given full details about the matter? Does he not know that the gratuity system was introduced by the late Government, which fully covered all the points raised on this side of the House?
§ Mr. HeadI can assure the hon. Gentleman that when I sat on the other side of the House I did not get half as much information as I have got at the present time. I can equally assure him that it will not be long before I make a statement to the House on this subject, but I should like to be allowed to have time to consider the matter before I make this statement.
§ Mr. WyattCan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will not reverse the previous decision on doctrinaire grounds?
§ Mr. HeadIt would be quite wrong to give the House any assurance whatever at this moment. I am considering the matter, I hope in an unbiased way, and I shall give to the House the result of my consideration at the earliest possible moment.
§ Brigadier Terence ClarkeWill the right hon. Gentleman agree that it was only after considerable pressure from the former Opposition that the present allowances were granted and that hon. Members opposite did everything they could to stop them at the time?
§ Mr. HeadI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that there is a great deal of information on both sides which I should like to consider and, as soon as I have done so, I shall acquaint the House.