Sir R. HALL:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any modifications or additions to the pay and/or allowances of officers, married or single, have been made since September, 1919?

A number of minor changes have been made in the pay of particular appointments and particular classes of officers; but there has been no general change in the pay of officers since September, 1919, apart from the 5½ per cent. reduction, with effect from 1st July, 1924, on account of the fall in the cost of living. As regards allowances, ration and fuel and light allowances are reviewed quarterly and amended as required with reference to changes in the retail prices of the commodities. The rates of field allowance were amended by Army Order 208 of 1924. Other allowances have remained in general unchanged since September, 1919.

Sir R. HALL:

May I ask whether marriage allowance is granted to officers whose wives are still in England and messing allowance given to officers living in India, at the same time?

I do not quite follow the question, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that there has been no change in that respect since the allowances sanctioned in 1919. The present arrangements were brought in then.

Mr. ERSKINE:

Is it the case that officers cannot live on their pay?

I do not believe that is so.

Why should there not be uniformity as between the three Services?

The pay of the three Services was settled by the Esher Committee in 1919, when the three Services put forward their recommendations. The Army accepted what they considered to be a lower rate of pay and preferred to have lodging allowance for their officers.