§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the wives and dependants of civil servants whose husbands obtained warrant or non-commissioned rank, carrying higher rates of Army separation allowances, were deprived of the benefit of such higher rates by counting such addition for rank as a deduction from civil pay; and, if so, will he recommend refundment to the men concerned, who consider themselves penalised after rendering special service to the State?
Mr. GRAHAMThe regulations in regard to civil servants serving with the Forces during the War provided generally for the payment of balance of civil pay over military pay, including separation allowances but excluding provision in kind. The deduction in respect of pay (as distinct from separation allowances) was fixed at a flat rate of 7s. a week, being the lowest rate in 1914 of pay exclusive of all allowances in cash or in kind, for those below commissioned rank and very many men benefited by the excess of their military pay over this amount. The arrangements were generally accepted as generous and I am not at this date prepared to re-open them.