§ Sir H. Lucas-Toothasked the Secretary of State for War what allowances can be drawn by an officer in respect of his family when they are travelling on board ship in the course of repatriation or other passage at the public expense; what charges are made against him for his family's messing in such circumstances; and what is the net total of pay and family lodging allowance received by a lieutenant of the 14s. 6d. a day class, whose wife and four children, over 12 years of age, accompanied him overseas while he was serving in the ranks before the war, for each day of their return journey.
§ Mr. LawsonNo allowances are paid to an officer in respect of his family travelling on board ship at the public expense. The officer is required to pay for his family's messing at the following daily rates: for adults and children over 12 years of age, 3s. 3d., for children of 1 but under 12 years of age, half the above rate. The total charge in respect of a family is subject to a maximum daily payment as follows: Second Lieutenant, 8s. 6d., Lieutenant, 10s., Captain 12s. 6d., Major 17s. 6d. A Lieutenant in receipt of pay at the rate of 14s. 6d. a day with a wife and four children over 12 years of age, receives no family lodg- 975W ing allowance while his family are travelling on board ship at the public expense, and he is required to pay 10s. a day for the messing of his family. The fact that his family accompanied him overseas while he was serving in the ranks before the war does not affect the case. The scale of messing charges is at present under review.