§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Secretary of State for War whether quartermasters and other ranker officers have received any increase of pay since the outbreak of War other than the 1s. per day provided by Army Order 197, of 1915; and whether he is aware that the rise in the cost of living affects these officers more than ordinary officers insomuch as the greater proportion of them are married men with families?
Captain GUESTYes, Sir. The minimum rate for officers of whatever kind has been advanced during the war to 10s. 6d. a day and children's allowances have been granted in addition to all officers of the junior ranks. Quartermasters are no longer exceptional among officers of junior rank in regard to wives and families. During the War very large numbers of men so situated have been commissioned as second lieutenants.
§ Mr. RAPERasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that pre-war Territorial Royal Army Medical Corps officers, who voluntarily gave up a considerable amount of their time in order to be prepared for any outbreak of war, are paid less than Royal Army Medical Corps officers of equivalent rank who joined up after the outbreak of war; and whether he will take steps to rectify this anomaly?
Captain GUESTThis question has been repeatedly raised in this House, and it was decided by the Government after full consideration not to make the change suggested. I do not propose to reopen it.