§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his refusal to grant a war bonus to the watchers in the Customs and Excise is based on the ground that a number of these men are in receipt of pensions granted for services in other departments, and, if not, will he state on what grounds his refusal is based; whether he is aware that a number of these men are in receipt of no pension and that, owing to the increased cost of living, they find it difficult to keep themselves and their families in food and clothing; and whether, in view of the fact that the maximum salary of these latter men is only 26s. per week, he is now prepared to make some concessions in their favour?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe refusal of a war bonus to watchers is not based on the ground that the large majority of these men are pensioners from other departments, but on the general considerations stated in the reply given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Barrow on the 25th November last.