§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will direct that pensioners re-enlisted before mobilisation under War Officer letter No. 33/Misc. 2879/A.G. 1 (c), dated 22nd May, 1939, and living out of barracks, who have in the past suffered a deduction of is. 8d. per day from their pay as a condition of receiving rations, but who have been provided with bread, meat, tea and sugar only, and no cash allowance, shall be refunded the amount of the said deduction as the consideration partly failed; whether he is aware that, by the terms of the said letter, full rations are issued and messing cash allowance is paid in respect of such 53W pensioners, who are in mess, against a deduction of is. 8d. per day from their pay; and what is the purpose of the discrimination between those pensioners living in and those living out?
§ Captain MargessonAs I have stated in answer to previous Questions, pensioners re-enlisted before mobilization were given special rates of pay and are not entitled to draw rations in kind in addition. Where rations are provided, is. 8d. a day is deducted from the pensioners' pay in accordance with the letter referred to. If my hon. Friend has reason to believe that the deduction made has not been in accordance with the terms of the letter and will send me particulars, I will have the cases examined. As I have previously stated, these re-enlisted pensioners, if they live out of barracks, arc not entitled to have rations provided at all and instructions are being issued to make this clear.