HC Deb 22 March 1939 vol 345 c1298W
Mr. Logan

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Army Reserve men, Class B, unemployed, get no unemployment assistance allowance in the week when they receive their quarterly retainer; and what action does he intend to take to remove this anomaly?

Mr. E. Brown

The basis of the Board's treatment of Army Reserve pay was explained by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War in the Debate on the Army Estimates on 10th March last year. Army Reservists who enlisted after September, 1931, suffer no deduction from their allowances in respect of their reserve pay. Men who enlisted before that date receive a higher rate of reserve pay and part of this (in no case exceeding 27s. a quarter) is taken into account. When the pay is received the Reservists are given the option of having this sum taken into account in one or two weeks, in which case it may result in no payment being made in a particular week, or of having it taken into account throughout the quarter at the rate of 2s. a week.