§ Mr. GUINNESSasked the Secretary of State for War, whether he was aware that the officers of the 5th battalion Suffolk Regiment sent in claims, under paragraph 408, Territorial Force Regulations, amounting to £121 11s. 4d., and that of this amount only £11 7s. was allowed; and whether the Army Council would reconsider this case, in view of the hardship caused to the officers concerned?
§ Mr. HALDANEI am aware of the circumstances of this case which has been fully considered. The officers incurred expenditure which was not authorised by the regulations, and I cannot approve any further payment.
§ Mr. GUINNESSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the whole of the disallowed expenditure was rendered necessary in order that the officers would hot be dressed in grey when the uniform of the men was changed to khaki, and whether there have not been cases where in similar claims the Army Council first refused to pay the claims and since then reconsidered the matter?
§ Mr. HALDANENo, Sir. The circumstances of this case were very special, and the Regulations were perfectly clear on the subject. If the officers had only adhered to them there would have been no difficulty, but they went directly against the Regulations.
§ Mr. GUINNESSDid the Regulations contemplate the case of the officers being dressed differently from the men?
§ , Mr. HALDANENot necessarily. Things would have adjusted themselves if the officers had complied with the Regulations.