§ 26. Mr. HANCOCKasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that miners enlisted in Notts in October, 1914, in the 43rd Railway Supply Department, who were promised, and paid, 3s. per day down to December, 1915, then, without any reason being given to them, the 3s. was crossed out of their pay books and Is. 8d. inserted, and their pay at the 1517 same time reduced by that amount; and, if aware of this, will he say why this reduction has been made, and give instructions for the arrears to be paid and the conditions of enlistment observed?
§ Mr. FORSTERThese men were enlisted in error at 3s. a day, and as soon as the error was discovered they were given the option of continuing to serve at ordinary Army rates or of taking their discharge. So far as I am aware, all had been disposed of toy June, 1915, and no one of them should after that date have been in receipt of more than Army rates. I am inquiring into the statement that men were paid 3s. a day until December last.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKDid not the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking on 28th March that where men were enlisted under a definite promise that promise would be kept?
§ Mr. FORSTERThat promise will be kept or the men will be given the opportunity of taking their discharge.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKDid the hon. Member say they would have the opportunity of taking their discharge? I see no record of it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. FORSTERI cannot charge my memory whether I said it on that particular date.
§ Mr. FORSTERI do not know.