Mr. MURRAY MACDONALDasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the allowances for light, fuel and lodging have recently been withdrawn 2281W from officers and nurses at the front; and, if so, whether he will explain what were the circumstances justifying the withdrawal?
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if by a general order recently issued the allowances to nurses mentioned in Army Order No. 501, of 1914, have been withdrawn; and, if so, will he state what those allowances were, why they were originally given, why they have been withdrawn, and the sums saved by their withdrawal?
§ Mr. FORSTERSpecial allowances for lodging, fuel and light were granted to officers at the front by Army Order 501, of 1914, in aid of the expenses of maintaining their families at home. These have not been withdrawn; but the same allowances were issued to nurses on the ground that they normally receive officers' allowances, and on a review of the question it was decided that these issues were unnecessary and should be discontinued. The saving is at the rate of about £180,000 a year.