§ LORD HAVERSHAMMy Lords, I move for a Return of all motor lorry drivers engaged with the Army in France, specifying how many are receiving the higher rate of 6s. per day and how many the lower rate of 1s 2d.; and I should like to ask whether, since there is now no lack of drivers, the higher rate of pay men could not be replaced by men at the lower rate who have been adequately trained. My noble friend Lord Newton told me, in answer to a Question the other day, that a great number of men had enlisted and were being trained for this work at the ls. 2d. a day rate. That would mean presumably that these men are now fit to take the places of the men earning 6s. a day. The replacement of these men would get rid of the great anomaly that men like motor lorry drivers who do not go into the firing line and who perform a duty not requiring great skill should receive 6s. a day. That was only a temporary measure, and I hope that the necessity for it has passed by and that this winter the Quartermaster-General's Department will take the question in hand and replace these men with men at the proper rate of pay, 1s. 2d.
§ LORD NEWTONMy Lords, the men who are receiving the higher rate of pay cannot be replaced by men receiving the lower rate because time does not admit of the lower paid men obtaining sufficient experience to take entire charge of motor vehicles. As my noble friend reminded me, I told him when he put a Question upon this point not many days ago that large numbers of men were being recruited at the lower rate at the present moment, but as a matter of fact I am informed that the number of these men now being trained is barely sufficient to meet the increased needs of the Army, and in view of this the Army Council are unable to comply with the request for the Return for which my noble friend asks.
§ LORD HAVERSHAMI understand that no more men will be taken on at 6s. a day, and that all the men recruited now will receive the lower rate of pay?
§ LORD NEWTONThat is so. I thought I made that clear on the last occasion; at any rate, I endeavoured to do so.