Sir J. DAVIDSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether the gratuity of 6½d. per diem messing allowance in 1920 in Iraq by the Imperial Government to British soldiers who were serving on normal rates of pay under Army Order 325/19 included those soldiers who were serving under Army Order 1/18 rates; and, if not, whether steps can be taken to amend Army Order 325/19, in order to include those men on Army Order 1/18 rates, as these men necessarily shared the same standard of messing as their comrades?
§ Sir R. SANDERSBritish troops in Iraq in 1920 were paid under Indian Regulations. The allowance referred to is understood to be the increased messing allowance of 6½ annas a day (previously 2¼ annas) granted under Indian Regulations to soldiers drawing the revised rates of pay admissible as from 1st July, 1919. Its issue was strictly limited to soldiers drawing the revised rates of pay. Men who elected to continue under Army Order 1 of 1918 rates had, however, the option of transferring to the new conditions if they wished, and it is not proposed to ask the Secretary of State for India to amend the Regulations in the sense suggested.