22. Mr. NUGENTasked the Secretary for War if he is aware that Ignatius Woods, 775 Company, Army Service Corps, No. 078,439, joined the Mechanical Transport of the Army Service Corps in April, 1915, after an interview with Major Jellicoe at the War Office, London, who told him that if he served the corps satisfactorily as a non-commissioned officer he would recommend him for a commission, and on the 8th of April, 1915, Ignatius Woods, on the recommendation of Major Jellicoe above referred to, received the rank of sergeant but that he did not receive sergeant's pay; if he is aware that, though Ignatius Woods was sergeant-in-charge of the mechanical transport workshops in Belfast up to June, 1916, without any complaint, he received a letter from Major Oakley, 373rd Company, Bedford, stating that Colonel Fisher, on 27th April, 1915, promised him sergeant's pay; if he is aware that this man was sent to France on the 8th October without receiving a single penny of sergeant's pay and reduced to the rank of private; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. FORSTERThis man has made a further application for a commission, and was, I understand, accorded an interview yesterday. The matter referred to in the first part of the question is being referred to the officers concerned in Egypt and elsewhere, and pending the receipt of answers to the inquiry made it is impossible to say whether the statements contained in the question are correct or not. My hon. Friend will be aware that men who are given acting rank are liable to have to revert to their substantive rank.
Mr. NUGENTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the colonel of the regiment gave this man promotion and sent him to Ireland to have his application sent; and is he aware that this man has been for some time acting as an officer and is now reduced and has not received a single penny of sergeant's pay from first to last? Will the hon. Gentleman check the particulars in the question?