§ Captain C. CRAIGasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the gratuity received by a major in the Royal Engineers on demobilisation is less in amount than that granted to a major of any other branch of the Service; and whether, in view of the fact that Engineers' pay is higher than that of any other branch of the Service, he will explain the reason why, on dispensing with the services of these officers, they are dismissed with a smaller award than any other officer of equal rank in the Army?
§ Mr. FORSTERUnder the Royal Warrant, the gratuity of a temporary officer is calculated at so many days' pay, pay being expressly limited to regimental pay. Recent alterations in the pay of the Infantry have increased the major's rate to 18s. a day while the Royal Engineer major continues to draw 16s. regimental pay plus 9s. Engineer pay. The fact that the Engineer major is so much better paid throughout his service must be set against the higher gratuity drawn by the Infantry major.
2034W
§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that the gratuity to officers of the new Army is based on daily pay, and as the pay of lieutenants was not raised till the 1st October, 1917, a conscripted officer receives a gratuity at a higher rate than one who joined voluntarily in the early days of the War and became non-effective before the date specified, he can now say whether the gratuity will be issued at the higher rate to all concerned?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have nothing to add to the answer which I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on 29th ultimo.