§ Mr. THURTLEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the immediate amounts of the reductions in pay, respectively, of an infantry private soldier and an infantry battalion commander?
§ Mr. COOPERThe reduction in the pay of an infantry battalion commander from 1st October, 1931, amounts to 1s. 4d. a day. The pay of an infantry soldier who enlisted on or after 26th October, 1925, is not reduced. In the case of an infantry private who enlisted or re-enlisted before 26th October, 1925, his pay will be reduced by 1s. a day if he is in receipt of the increment granted after two years' service, or by 9d. a day if he is not in receipt of the increment. The hon. Member will appreciate that the pay of the majority of private soldiers will not be affected, and that all officers have been subject since 1924 to successive reductions in their pay in accordance with variation in the cost of living.
§ Mr. THORNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what action he intends to take to deal with the grievances existing in the lower ranks of the Army arising from the reductions in the rate of pay?
§ Mr. COOPERThe Army Council are considering all questions of particular hardship that may have arisen.