§ COLONEL O'BEIRNEasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is not a fact that, by the regulations of the Service, the officers in the Pay Department are, in the performance of their duties, and in all matters of discipline, subject to the immediate authority and directions of the Military officers under whom they may be serving; if he will explain, therefore, how the officers of the Pay Department can be, in matters relating to discipline, subject likewise to the orders of the Accountant General; and, whether it is contemplated to have the Pay Department represented at the War Office, and placed on an equality in this respect with the Chaplains, Commissariat, Transport Staff, Medical Ordnance Store, and Veterinary Departments?
§ MR. CHILDERSSir, I am really at a loss to understand why my hon. and gallant Friend asks this Question. In reply to his former Question on the 22nd, I told him that there was underlying it the very Question which ho puts now, and I said that it was one of those affecting this Department which I was going to consider. I can really add nothing to this at present, except that, as a matter of fact, these officers are already for military discipline under the Commander-in-Chief.