§ Mr. J. GARDNERasked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that officers of the Army, and Veterinary services who were originally remunerated on a civilian basis are now placed on the Army officers' basis, he will take the necessary action to place the emoluments of the officers of the staff for Royal Engineer services on a military basis; and whether, seeing that the civilian officers of the Army Chaplain's department, who have always been on the civilian basis, were in 1920 placed on the Army officers' basis for retired pay, he will extend the same privilege to the officers of the staff for Royal Engineer services?
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§ Major ATTLEEI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave him on 8th April last. As regards future entrants, the question of placing their pay and retired pay on a military basis is under consideration. But there is no intention, for the reasons I have already explained, of altering the present basis for the existing permanent officers of the staff for Royal Engineer services.
§ Mr. J. GARDNERasked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the emoluments of the officers of the staff for Royal Engineer services are on a civilian basis, it is proposed to reduce their pay in accordance with the 5½ per cent. reduction in Army officers' pay in July next; and, if so, why?
§ Major ATTLEEThe pay of officers of the staff for Royal Engineer services will be reduced by 5½ per cent. on the 1st July. Their pay contains the same variable percentage for cost of living as that of other officers, and is due to be revised on the same basis. The Royal Warrant, which granted the rates of pay, specifically provided for this reduction.