39. Mr. MONTAGUE BARLOWasked whether any soldiers have been or are being transferred to Class W of the Reserve; and, if so, whether the effect of such transfer is to impose upon such men liability to be called up again at any time, 1431 and also to deprive them and their dependants of any pay and allowances and to postpone indefinitely any claims they may have for pensions or gratuities?
The hon. Member added: As this is a singularly gross case may I have an answer?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)A man in Class W receives no Army pay or other Army emoluments. Men who have a claim to pension are not passed to Class W, but to Class P (unless discharged), in which case they are paid as pensioners. If a man has wrongly been transferred to Class W, he should apply for his case to be reconsidered.
Mr. BARLOWIs it the fact that a man transferred to Class W is retained by the Army, and he may be ill but he gets no pay, no pension, and no separation allowance?
§ Mr. FORSTERThat is the present rule. I am having the question gone into. My hon. Friend called my attention to a case in which a man had fallen sick on account of wounds. Owing to his having been placed in Class W he was unable to get treatment in hospital or separation allowance for his wife. I am having the question carefully reviewed. I think that in those circumstances we ought to restore the man's status either by calling him up or by some other means, so that he may receive hospital treatment and separation allowance can be made.
Mr. BARLOWIn view of this answer, I will raise this question, if possible, between now and the Adjournment.
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERHave any men been transferred to Class W under paragraph 392 of the King's Regulations?