§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, as 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 receiving 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 has now been able to arrange that the gratuity shall be issued at a higher rate to all concerned?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have considered this suggestion in accordance with my promise of last week and regret to say that I find it impracticable to give retrospective effect in this way to the increase of pay.