§ Sir S. COATSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office if men were signed on for the Army of Occupation on the understanding that they would receive the present rate of pay for soldiers in addition to a bonus, and their parents would continue to receive the same allowance as they had been receiving during the War; and if these men were informed in September last, after serving in the Army of Occupation and receiving the present rate of pay in addition to the parents' allowance for 12 months, that their parents' allowance could no longer be continued unless the men were willing to accept the old rate of pay for soldiers?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONArmy of Occupation bonus is not issuable concurrently with the new rates of pay. If the reference is to re-enlisted men, such men were promised the continuance of the rates of pay then in force and the old rates of separation allowance or dependants' allowance. When the rates of pay were subsequently increased it was distinctly stated that the War rates of separation allowance and dependants' allowance (including parents' allowance) would not be continued, in addition to the new rates of pay. These men could secure the continuance of the allowance to their parents by electing to draw the rates of pay authorised when they re-enlisted. In most cases, however, the new rates are more advantageous than the old rates plus parents' allowance.