§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of civilians above military age are employed as temporary clerks in the Royal Garrison Artillery Records Office at Dover Castle, working fifty-one hours per week at 33s. per week, and that no war bonus is being paid to these men; whether, under Army Council Instructions, 1901, of 5th October, 1916, and 2103, of 8th November, 1916, these temporary clerks are entitled to the bonus of 4s. per week as from July, 1916; and. if not, seeing that civilian clerks in the pay office and others in employment similar in all respects to that of the clerks in the Records Office are receiving the bonus, will he have an Instruction issued which will entitle these men to the bonus, and see that they receive it accordingly?
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§ Mr. FORSTERNo, Sir. Under Army Council Instruction 2103, the rate of 33s. is inclusive of bonus. The rate originally covered sixty hours' work, but the normal office hours have been reduced to forty-eight, with liability to work overtime upon occasion without extra pay. Clerks entitled to overtime after forty-eight hours receive 31s., inclusive of the 4s. bonus.
§ Mr. MCNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the arrears of pay due to the clerks in the Records Office of the Royal Garrison Artillery at Dover have yet been paid; and, if not, whether he can make any statement before the Adjournment of the House for Easter?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am not aware of any arrears of pay. If my answer to the previous question does not cover this, perhaps the hon. Member will let me have particulars.