WAR GRATUITIES

HC Deb 23 August 1945 vol 413 cc837-8W

Mr. Collins

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is in a position to announce the intentions of the Government with regard to the payment of higher war gratuities at a flat rate, and of gratuities to men discharged on medical grounds prior to the end of the war.

Mr. Dalton

War gratuity is only one item of a comprehensive scheme of benefits, including release furlough, foreign service leave, provision of civilian clothing, resettlement grants and training schemes, designed to meet the needs of members of the Forces on release to civil life. I do not propose to make any change in these arrangements. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for War to the hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Brown) on Tuesday last.

Colonel Clarke

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that arrangements have already been made to pay war gratuities to a number of Group 9 ex-Servicemen he can give any indication when gratuities will be made available to those who have been invalided out of the various fighting Services during the course of the war.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Secretary of State for War to the hon. Member for West Harrow (Mr. Bower) on Tuesday last.

Mr. Grenfell

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he has given further consideration to the claim for equal treatment in regard to post-war gratuities to all men serving in H.M. Coastguard; and whether, in view of their devotion to duty by all ranks, he will express his appreciation to all men in the Coastguard services by awarding an all-in scheme of gratuities to men on regular and temporary duties during the war.

Mr. Barnes

Yes, Sir, but I am unable to modify the decision already announced. I can assure my hon. Friend that the services rendered by all ranks of H.M. Coastguard during the war are fully appreciated. The Regular Coastguard, however, is a peacetime Force which it is not proposed to disband and is thus not analogous to the temporary organisations, including the Auxiliary Coastguard, to whose members war gratuities are payable.