§ Mr. WADDINGTONasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the hardship caused to Territorials by the bounty granted for five years' service being rigidly adhered to, whereby a man who has served four years and eight months receives no part of the £15 bounty he would receive if his service had continued four months' longer; and whether, in these circumstances, he will make the bounty proportionate to the months of service in the fifth year?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe bounty to which the hon. Members refer is in no sense a payment in respect of past services. It is a grant to those soldiers who were already 2247W serving on Army engagements when the War commenced, and who, on the expiration of those engagements, were compelled to serve or voluntarily undertook further service for the duration of the War. It is consequently only payable when a man serves beyond the end of his engagement.