§ Colonel L. WILSONasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether field allowance to officers and men of the Royal 180W Naval Division was stopped temporarily by orders of the Treasury but resumed on condition that this unit went under canvas; if so, in view of the fact that these officers and men receive pay and separation allowance at Navy rates, will the Treasury authorise the resumption of field allowance which has been granted to this unit since the beginning of the War, and which has constantly been advertised as an inducement to men to join without any condition being attached; and, if this condition cannot be removed, whether field allowance at Navy rates will be again stopped when the men are obliged to cease living under canvas next autumn?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have been asked to answer this question. Consequent on the transfer of the Royal Naval Division Reserves from Blandford to Aldershot, where most of the units were accommodated in barracks, instead of in hutments as formerly, payment of field allowance to all Royal Naval Division units was suspended from 27th April, the men being accommodated in barracks. On the 5th June the Treasury agreed to the payment being continued for the interim period, on condition that the War Office made the necessary arrangements to place the units either in hutments or under canvas. As regards the last part of the question, I cannot imagine that anyone would wish the men to remain under canvas in wintry weather as a mere condition precedent to the receipt of field allowance. I presume, when the time comes, the men will be transferred to quarters suitable to the time of year; and if, before that, no fresh arrangement is entered into regarding the Division, they ought not, in my opinion, because weather conditions compel them to live under proper cover, to be deprived of the field allowance which they received while in huts at Blandford.