§ 36. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Mr. John Atkinson, secretary of the Erith Sub-committee of the Kent War Pensions Local Committee, wrote to the regimental paymaster, Middlesex Regiment, Hounslow, on 8th May, in regard to the case of Mrs. Palmer, 18, Northumberland Park, Erith, as to the allowance being made to her by her son; and that he again wrote on the 6th June and 14th June, and up to the present he has received no reply to his letters; is he aware that Mr. Atkinson also wrote to the Secretary of the War Office on 21st June in regard to the same case, and that he has only received an official acknowledgment of his letter; is he aware that Mr. Atkinson wrote to the paymaster at Hounslow for certain information in connection with the case of Lance-Corporal J. H. Sayers, No. 7700, East Kent Regiment, on 17th March, and on two subsequent occasions, and he has not yet received a reply; will he see that these cases are dealt with at once; and will he take such action as is necessary in order that the information asked for may be supplied in a reasonable time, and thus prevent unnecessary suffering and hardship to soldiers' wives and dependants?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIn the first case the delay, which is much regretted, was caused by the transfer of Private Palmer's payment to another pay office, and thence to a third. In the second case a reply was sent to the letter of 17th March, and no further letters have been received. Action has been taken to secure that both cases shall be promptly dealt with.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSWill my hon. Friend see that these official communications are hurried forward more rapidly?