HC Deb 23 June 1903 vol 124 cc260-1
MR. MANSFIELD (Lincolnshire, Spalding)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, is he aware that the men of the 1901 batch of Imperial Yeomanry signed for their accounts at Aldershot before being discharged, and, if so, will he state the total number of the complaints then made; were those complaints forwarded to the Secretary of State for War, and, if so, will he state how many were owing to the men not receiving a month's furlough or payment in lieu thereof, how many were owing to the stoppage of bounties or gratuities, and how many were direct claims against officers commanding companies; and will he also state the total number of complaints that have been received since the men were discharged at Aldershot.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

I have already given the hon. Member ample information in reply to previous Questions† on this subject. I cannot undertake to give him the detailed information he now requires, the preparation of which would delay the heavy work which the paymaster and his staff are endeavouring to complete. If he will be good enough to refer direct to the Chief Paymaster, Imperial Yeomanry, this officer will be prepared to furnish him personally with the information at his disposal in regard to specific cases.

MR. MANSFIELD

Have the officers been consulted with regard to the complaints received since the men were disbanded at Aldershot?

MR. BRODRICK

Yes, Sir. But this is a question of detail which cannot be dealt with by Question and Answer across the floor of the House. I am prepared to give all the information at my disposal, but individual cases must be dealt with by the officers responsible.