HC Deb 19 February 1917 vol 90 cc1003-5W
Major H. TERRELL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the pay and allowances of a captain living with his wife in Egypt and of a second lieutenant, unmarried, in Egypt are as follows: Captain, pay 2s. 6d. per day, colonial allowance 1s. per day, total 13s. 6d. per day; second lieutenant, pay 7s. 6d. per day, colonial allowance 1s. per day, field allowance 2s. 6d. per day, lodging 2s. per day, fuel and lights 7d. per day, total 13s. 7d. per day; and whether he intends to propose any increase in a captain's allowance?

Mr. FORSTER

The captain receives field allowance at 3s. a day, in addition to those quoted by my hon. Friend.

Major TERRELL

asked what are the pay and allowances now receivable by a married second lieutenant with two children, a married first-class warrant officer with two children, and a married sergeant with two children serving with an Infantry-battalion in the British Expeditionary Force in France?

Mr. FORSTER

Normally 12s. 6d., 10s. 2d. and 5s. 10d. per day, respectively.

Brigadier-General CROFT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been called to the hardship imposed upon the wives and families of young officers mobilised at present in this country in the event of the movement of the officer's unit from one part of the country to another owing to increased railway fares; and whether he can see his way to grant warrants at the old railway rates to the families of officers so compelled to move?

Mr. FORSTER

The wives and families of officers are not and never have been entitled to warrants on change of station in this country. Whether they should be allowed the old railway rates on necessary journeys is a question analogous to many others which are under the consideration of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Brigadier-General CROFT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the increasing difficulty of junior officers in the Army in supporting their wives and families owing to the increase in the cost of living; whether he is aware that numerous non-commissioned officers who have proved their fitness for the commissioned ranks are unable to accept nomination because such promotion would leave them poorer than they are at present; and whether he can see his way to recommend an immediate increase in the pay of junior officers in the Army?

Major HUNT

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that many wives and children of officers in the Army are now in distress, due to extreme poverty, he can say when separation allowances will be granted to them sufficient to provide them with shelter and the necessary amount of food?

Mr. FORSTER

I will answer these questions together. The pecuniary position of married officers of the junior ranks has been engaging our careful attention, and some increased provision appears to be necessary in certain cases. It has accordingly been arranged that the powers of the Civil Liabilities Committee should be extended so that in case of necessity a maintenance allowance for their families may be granted to officers below the rank of major, and my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board hopes, with the concurrence of the Treasury, to bring the scheme into operation at an early date.