§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, after serving for five years or thereabouts in the Scots Guards, J. W. Eveson was by consent transferred, about three or four months ago, to the Army Reserve, and received £15 of deferred pay; whether, on being offered private employment on condition of purchasing his discharge, he was informed by the War Office that the cost would be £18; whether, on subsequently forwarding his papers, he was then for the first time made aware that he must refund his deferred pay in addition; and, whether this was demanded in virtue of a Royal Warrant; and, if so, what was its date?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The proceedings in connection with the discharge of J. W. Eveson, of the Scots Guards, were entirely in accordance with Article 609 of the Current Pay and Promotion Warrant, which is a reproduction of similar Articles in force since 315 1881. If repayment of the deferred pay were not insisted upon in such cases any soldier could purchase his discharge from the Army Reserve with his deferred pay, and thus avoid all Reserve service.