§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has been reached in regard to welfare officers wearing uniform and receiving mileage allowance at ordinary rates when carrying out their unpaid duties; whether armlets, indicating the nature of their duties, for welfare officers will be issued to be worn by all performing duties in that branch; whether he is satisfied that no officers who volunteer to do this work are suffering personal financial loss; and whether, in consultation with the Territorial Associations, steps can be taken to see that all legitimate expenses and allowances are met in view of the importance of the duties these officers perform?
§ Captain MargessonIt has now been decided that welfare officers who so desire may wear uniform for the performance of their duties, and a distinctive official armlet has been approved. Welfare officers are entitled to subsistence allowance and travelling expenses, including motor mileage allowance at the ordinary rates, and a grant has been made to Territorial Army Associations on the basis of £25 a year for each welfare officer to meet expenses such as postage, telephone and stationery. In addition, Territorial Army Associations provide county welfare officers with accommodation and clerical assistance, and a grant of £300 is made towards the personal expenses of welfare officers at 837W each command headquarters. I have no reason to think that these arrangements are inadequate.