§ Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for War (I) whether he is aware that the lowering of the family-allowance age, the calling up of Army reservists, and the calling up of militiamen under the Military Training Act, 1939, are creating great hardship for members of the Royal Army Pay Corps, inasmuch as the volume of work lengthens the already long working hours without any form of additional pay being given in compensation; and if he will take steps to remove this hardship;
(2) whether he is aware that entrance into the Royal Army Pay Corps entails the possession of exceptional qualifications; that the work is of a highly responsible nature; that frequently office accommodation is inadequate; that hours of work are generally lengthy and annual holiday amounts to only 10 days; that a serious promotion block exists; that pay is only at Group C tradesmen rates; and will he take steps to remove these grievances?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaA considerable amount of extra work has recently been thrown upon the Royal Army Pay Corps, 1495W and, notwithstanding an increase in the Corps and the employment of Supplementary Reservists, it has been necessary, as in many other cases, to prolong hours of work and to curtail leave.
Office accommodation has been, and is being, kept under review, and, in several cases, new offices are being provided. The promotion prospects are good, and no serious block exists. No grievance about pay has been represented.
I am glad to take this opportunity of paying a tribute to the admirable work of the Corps in the recent pressure, which it is hoped will diminish now that the initial intake of militiamen has been absorbed.