asked the Minister for Defence if he will state whether N.C.O.s of the Volunteer force doing special duty as clerks, drivers, etc., since mobilisation, were promised special rates of pay; and, if so, whether they have received the rates of pay promised, and if not, why not.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Volunteers on Special Duty.
Non-commissioned officers and men of the Volunteer force on permanent service are in the same position in regard to additional pay as members of the permanent force. A volunteer who is employed in a trade or occupation such as clerk, driver, etc., for which he is qualified and who is filling a vacancy in the establishment of his unit, is entitled to additional pay. Volunteers have been and are being paid additional pay on this basis.
Volunteers on active service have been doing this type of work but have not received the special rate of pay. If individual cases are brought to the Minister's attention will he have them investigated?
I will. Perhaps the Deputy is not aware that there is a qualification attached, and while a man might possibly be on that type of work and a good man, actually if he did not qualify he would not be entitled to the pay.
Would the Army authorities allow him to do that work if he was not qualified?
He would not pass the qualifying test, but he might be qualified in respect to ordinary civilian driving. There is a test in the Army that must be passed. I will look into the matter.