§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers serving in the Balkan Expeditionary Force, at Salonika, are not allowed what is called Colonial allowance, although the climate is as trying and the difficulties as great as in Egypt, where this allowance is made; what is the reason of this distinction in treatment; and whether, having regard to the fact that with this exception of Colonial allowance the allowances in both places are similar and that the preferential distinction in the case of officers in Egypt is regarded as a grievance by officers serving in the Balkan Expeditionary Force, the Colonial allowance will be extended to them also with the arrears thereof?
§ Mr. FORSTERColonial allowance is a special allowance designed to meet the extra expense thrown upon officers of the British Army by service in Egypt and certain other places under peace conditions. The question of its discontinuance during war in places where it was drawn in peace presents difficulties and is under consideration. I regret that I cannot extend it to officers serving at Salonika.