§ MR. HANBURYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is the fact that warrant officers have recently been disallowed the right to deposit in the regimental savings banks; and, if so, on what special grounds; whether the rate of interest allowed to private soldiers and (until recently) warrant officers is 3¾ per cent.; and, if so, how the War Office maintains these banks except at a loss; and whether any portion of such loss is only made good by the fact that the War Office retains for considerable periods sums deposited by deceased soldiers before distributing them amongst the next of kin, and also draws upon the balances standing in the name of deceased or discharged soldiers to meet regimental claims, such as barrack hospital clothing and other stoppages.
§ MR. WOODALLUnder the Military Savings Bank Act, warrant officers are not allowed the advantages of the system, although, when the number of warrant officers was largely increased a few years ago, some, by inadvertence, were permitted to continue their accounts. This was stopped when it was detected. The rate of interest allowed is 3¾ per cent., which, of course, can only be granted at a cost to the State. For some years after the institution of those banks, Votes were taken for the interest. It was subsequently discovered that the sums voted had been in excess of the sums required, and the Votes ceased. The funds accumulated, however, have sufficed for the present to meet the extra charge. The additional charge is not in any way met in the manner suggested.