§ COL. BLUNDELL (Lancashire, Ince)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the gratuity of £100 given to all officers of the Militia on their ceasing to draw full pay on the disembodiment of their regiments has been refused to certain officers who responded to the call for volunteers for active service abroad, on the ground that they have not ceased to draw full pay in consequence of their so volunteering, notwithstanding that the expenses originally incurred by both classes of officers on joining the Militia were the same, and require equally to be defrayed within the same period of time.
§ * MR. BRODRICKThe gratuity was not intended to cover equipment, but to provide an officer with a sum on going back in civil life on cessation of duty, and was therefore to be paid when he ceased to perform duty. Any officers who have volunteered for service abroad, and who thus serve beyond a year will receive a larger gratuity. If my hon. friend has any case in which this has caused hardship, perhaps he will communicate with me privately.