§ Mr. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the War Office, through the Post Office Department, asked for volunteers for the Royal Engineers, Postal and Signals Section, in 1914, and such volunteers were offered by a Post Office Circular, dated the 29th September, 1914, full civil pay while serving with the Colours, in addition to Army pay and allowances; is he aware that in Pamphlet No. 7, issued by the Minister of Reconstruction, it was stated that gratuity would be paid to all men who had joined the Army since the 4th of August, 1914, with certain specified exceptions; and why men who volunteered on the terms of the Post Office Circular above-mentioned are deprived of gratuity on the ground that they received 407W civil pay while serving in the Army, not withstanding the assurance in the Circular that such civil pay would be in addition to Army pay and allowances?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 9th July to the hon. Member for Central Nottingham. As regards the second part, the pamphlet referred to, while giving generally correct information about the benefits granted to soldiers, has no claim to be an authority for the issue of any emoluments.