§ Mr. Crowderasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will investigate the question of unpaid acting non-commissioned officers to avoid the resentment arising from the fact that hundreds of these men are taking the extra responsibility and are not receiving the extra pay?
§ Captain MargessonAll promotions during war-time are made initially on an acting and unpaid basis, but after holding acting rank for a continuous period of 21 days the soldier is granted the pay of the rank retrospectively provided that a vacancy in that rank exists on the establishment of his unit. The establishment is fixed so as to provide for a sufficient quota of non-commissioned officers for the performance of the duties required of them under normal conditions, but local commanders are empowered to sanction the temporary appointment, in cases of necessity, of a small number of unpaid lance appointments in excess of the establishment of paid ranks and appointments. Men filling such additional appointments are considered for paid appointments as vacancies arise.