HC Deb 30 September 1941 vol 374 cc501-2W
Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite

asked the Prime Minister whether, following the recent upward revision of family allowances to junior officers in His Majesty's Forces, he will instruct the heads of the three Service Departments to formulate a similar agreed scheme for an immediate increase in the basic rates of pay for the rank and file?

The Prime Minister

The recent revision of family allowances of junior officers was the first general improvement in the emoluments of officers since before the outbreak of war. The family allowances of other ranks have, on the other hand, been improved on a number of occasions since that date and furthermore, as hon. Members will recollect, the pay of all N.C.O.'s and men was increased last year by the addition of 6d. a day war pay. I cannot agree, therefore, that the increased family allowances of junior officers afford any good ground for further improving the emoluments of other ranks. My colleagues and I are, however, examining suggestions that the families of other ranks are in certain cases experiencing hardship and difficulty in meeting their obligations. A further statement on this matter will be made as soon as possible.

Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider a yearly, or half-yearly, adjustment of the rates of pay of all members of the Armed Forces, in accordance with any rise or fall in the cost of living, taking as a standard the cost of living and rates of pay in force in September, 1939?

Sir K. Wood

As stated in the recent White Paper (Command 6294) it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to endeavour to prevent any substantial increase in the cost of living index number, apart from minor seasonal changes. For this and other reasons I see no ground for adopting any scheme for the periodical adjustment of the rates of pay of members of the Armed Forces by reference to changes in the cost of living figure. I would remind my hon. Friend in any case that, in respect of the issues which they receive in kind members of the Armed Forces are protected against any increase in cost, and also that their cash emoluments have been improved in various respects since the outbreak of war.

Captain Poole

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the fact that a review has been made of officers' allowances, and nothing has been done to increase the allowances to the dependants of other ranks, is causing considerable heartburning throughout the country; whether he is aware of the poverty and hardship suffered by many wives and children of members of the Forces; and why such dependants are placed in a less favourable position than the dependants of those who remain in industry?

Captain Margesson

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to-day by the Prime Minister to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Holderness (Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite).

Sir R. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, according to reports from experienced social workers, numbers of families of serving men are finding it impossible to manage on the present scale; and whether he will increase the minimum separation allowances?

Captain Margesson

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day by the Prime Minister to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Holderness (Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite).