§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that it was decided to add interest at 5 per cent. to the two-thirds instalment of the bounty granted under ArmyOrdrs 209 of 1916 and 222 of 1918, which was withheld pending the discharge of the men who had earned it, he will consider the addition of a like rate of interest to the second and subsequent instalments of the bounties payable to men who re-engage for the Regular Army under Army Order 4 of 1919, and to war gratuities in the cases of men whose discharge will not fall due until some considerable time after their maximum gratuity has been earned?
Captain GUESTOnly a part of the old bounty was paid when it was earned, and interest was allowed or the balance 1987W deferred. The new bounties have been promised for payment as they are earned, and the question of interest does not, therefore, arise. The question of the date of payment of the war gratuity to men retained for the Armies of Occupation is under consideration.
§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that many Regular soldiers were debarred from participation in the re-engagement bounties under Army Order 4 of 1919, on the ground that they were just over the age of thirty-five, whereas the age limit for the Armies of Occupation is now apparently fixed at thirty-seven, he will consider an Amendment to Army Order 4, so as to make it applicable to all Regular soldiers who are not above the age of thirty-seven?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI will consider this point.
§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, under a recent Order, gratuities are to be paid on an officer's last substantive or temporary rank; whether acting rank is disregarded; if so, what is the difference between acting and temporary rank; and if it is intended that an officer who has held acting rank for a considerable period should be treated differently to one who has held temporary rank?
Captain GUESTAn Army Order dealing with the question of acting rank will be issued in the course of the next few days.
§ Major Sir KEITH FRASERasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the question of granting extra pension or gratuity to warrant officers or non-commissioned officers of the old Army who were called up from the Reserve, or had been retired at the commencement of the War, in view of the invaluable nature of their services in the training of the New Armies?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI regret that I am unable to adopt this suggestion. These men had the full benefit of the Regulations, and where men of all classes have rendered such magnificent services, I do not think discrimination would be justified.