HC Deb 18 June 1925 vol 185 cc827-8W
Major HORE BELISHA

asked the Secretary of State for War how many barrack wardens there were who came under the Army Order which excluded them from re-enlisting during the great War; and in how many cases exemptions from the Order thus excluding them were made?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON - EVANS

There were 329 barrack wardens employed at the outbreak of war; the Order, issued in September, 1914, that barrack wardens should not be permitted to re-enlist as drill instructors, applied to them all. The second part of question could not be answered without a great deal of investigation, and I do not think the value of the information would justify the labour involved in compiling it.

Major HORE-BELISHA

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department has given any further consideration to the position of barrack wardens, who, in view of the heavy work imposed on the barrack branch of the Army Service Corps by the preparation for the accommodation of the new armies at the outbreak of war, were not permitted to re-enlist during that emergency and who, as a consequence of these circumstances, over which they had no control, have received no reassessment of their pensions as contrasted with some of their colleagues who were fortunate enough to obtain exemption from the terms of the Order and who, almost alone among pensioners who gave war service, have been ignored in the granting of higher rates of pension; and whether, in view of the poverty in which this small section of men finds itself, he can see his way to treat these men with generosity?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

I find that the position of barrack wardens, together with that of other classes of pensioners who did not re-enlist into the Army for service during the great War, has been fully and carefully considered. I cannot make any exception in their case from the general rule which requires military service during the War as a condition of reassessment of pension.

Major HORE-BELISHA

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the average pension payable to barrack wardens at the outbreak of war; and what is it at the present time?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

The amounts payable to pensioners who are barrack wardens are not separately recorded. The information asked for could not be given without laborious investigation.