§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that former naval service in the case of an ex-sailor re-enlisting in the Army is not allowed to count towards proficiency pay under Article 1,066 of the Pay Warrant, whereas former service in the Royal Marines is allowed to count, and that. Sergeant-Major G. Cattermole, M.C., No. G61397, 32nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who left the Royal Navy before the War 2267W as a petty officer, Class II., has been compelled to refund proficiency pay, amounting to a sum of £18 5s. 6d., on the ground that he was not eligible for it under the above-quoted article of the Royal Warrant; and whether he will take steps to make naval service count equally with Royal Marine service towards Army proficiency pay, and to have the stoppage above-mentioned repaid in lull to Sergeant-Major Cattermole?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis rule that service in the Royal Navy does not count as military service for the purpose of proficiency pay was made by the Army Council after very full consideration, and it is not proposed to modify it.