§ COLONEL LOCKWOOD (Essex, Epping)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the discontinuance of military savings banks and the recent increase in the pay of the soldier, he will consider the advisability of taking steps to encourage soldiers to deposit money in tie Savings Banks.
LOED STANLEYI consider it most desirable to encourage, by any means in my power, the use of the Post Office Savings Bank for the deposit of money saved by soldiers out of their pay. Some steps have already been taken with this object. The Officer Commanding the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards suggested recently that some special facilities might-be afforded, and arrangements were made for the attendance weekly of an officer of the Post Office to receive deposits after they had been collected by the regimental officers. The result has been 477 satisfactory, for 135 new accounts have j been opened in eight weeks in that battalion alone. I shall be prepared to make similar special arrangements in other cases where it may be desired; and I hope that any commanding officers who may wish to adopt this plan—on which, I think the House will agree, Colonel Surtees is much to be congratulated—or to be furnished with further information about it will communicate with me or the Controller of the Savings Bank. Since the Question was put down I have seen I the General Officer Commanding the Home: District who tells me he intends to do all in his power to get the regiments in his command to adopt the same system, and I am in hopes other General Officers Commanding may take the same course.
MB. GIBSON BOWLESDoes the noble Lord propose to extend this to all regiments, including those abroad, or to limit it to the Brigade of Guards?
LORD STANLEYCertainly it will not be confined to the Brigade of Guards, I think I shall be able to put these ' facilities for placing money in the Savings Bank in the way of all soldiers when they receive their pay, though, of course, the conditions will vary according to the circumstances.