§ Mr. WILLIAM PEELasked the Under secretary of State for War whether he had now reconsidered the question of deductions from the pay and allowances of the soldier while in hospital; and whether he was prepared to abolish hospital stop pages altogether or make a substantial reduction in their amount?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Tennant)The question has been considered. There is no intention of abolishing hospital stoppages.
§ Mr. PEELWill the hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of the question: Whether he is prepared either to abolish hospital stoppages or to make a substantial reduction in their amount?
§ Mr. TENNANTThere is no such intention.
§ Mr. PEELIs the hon. Member aware that the Under-Secretary of State promised, when the Insurance Act was passing through the House, to inquire into the whole question, and to deal with it in view of the new situation which had arisen in consequence of the introduction of that measure?
§ Mr. TENNANTMy recollection is that my right hon. Friend promised that there would be an opportunity for discussing it on the Estimates; but the question has not been raised.