§ Mr. ROBERT RICHARDSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers in the Caucasus are being told that they will only be entitled to the increased pay of 10s. per week from 1st February, 1919, if they volunteered for a further twelve months' service; and whether the War Office will instruct commanding officers to inform their men that the increased rate of pay was granted in consideration of the increased cost of living and will be payable whether men volunteer for further service or not?
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§ Mr. FORSTERSoldiers serving in the Caucasus are treated, as regards bonus, in the same way as soldiers serving elsewhere. The bonus is not given in respect of increased cost of living. It is payable from 1st February to men who are definitely retained for the Armies of Occupation or the military machinery of demobilisation. Soldiers who are not so retained, but have volunteered for one year's service with the Armies of Occupation, receive the bonus from the date of volunteering. Those who have not been definitely retained and have not volunteered receive the bonus from 1st May.