HC Deb 19 December 1916 vol 88 c1289
41. Major NEWMAN

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that officers when they become casualties often lose by theft or carelessness on the part of their units valuable parts of their equipment, such as binoculars and pistols, in addition to having their uniforms partly or wholly destroyed as the result of the injury they have received; has any Army Council order been issued that such losses and damage to uniform will be made good out of public funds; and, if so, will the order be made retrospective?

Mr. FORSTER

The Regulations governing indemnification for losses are laid down in Section 19 of the Allowance Regulations. They do not admit of indemnification in cases where the loss was due to negligence on the part of the unit to which the officer belongs. Compensation is permissible under the Regulations in force at the outbreak of war for articles of uniform damaged beyond repair.