§ Mr. STANLEY JOHNSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has under consideration a petition from a number of the acting paymasters asking that a gratuity equivalent to that granted to temporary commissioned officers under paragraphs 496–7 of the Royal Pay Warrant, and a war bonus equivalent to that granted to officers of the Army of Occupation, under Army Orders 54/19 and 55/19, as amplified by Army Order VI., dated 15th February, 1919, may be granted to acting paymasters generally; and, if so, whether he can state a date by which a decision on the matter will be given?
§ Mr. FORSTERSuch a petition has been received and an official reply will shortly be sent, but I cannot name a precise date.
§ Lieutenant-Colonel POWNALLasked the Secretary of State for War why the war bonus given to the Army of Occupation is not to be paid to civilian acting paymasters, and is to be paid to commissioned acting-paymasters, in view of the fact that all acting-paymasters, whether civilian or commissioned, belong to the same class, are engaged under the same form of civil contract at similar rates of pay, and have hitherto participated equally in any bonuses given vide A.C.I. 110/18 and A.C.I. 149/19, and the further fact that in A.O., VI d/15th February, 1919, acting-paymasters are distinctly stated to form part of the military machinery of demobilisation and to be, therefore, eligible for full bonus from 1st February, 1919?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe war bonus given to the Army of Occupation is confined to 1421W commissioned officers and enlisted men whose Army service is prolonged. It has no application to civilians, who are not compulsorily retained in the Army.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the important and responsible duties performed by acting-paymasters, who in matters of discipline take the rank of captain and major, he will grant them the same war bonus and gratuity as are granted to temporary officers?
§ Mr. FORSTERFrom the reference to discipline I understand my Noble Friend to refer to acting-paymasters who hold commissions. They are eligible for the Army of Occupation bonus, but are not eligible for the gratuity under Article 497 of the Royal Warrant. Full consideration has been given to the nature of their duties.