HC Deb 30 July 1918 vol 109 c222
13. Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why an officer of the Old Army who retired some years ago with a small gratuity, and who afterwards came up to serve with the New Army, is thereby now deprived of two-thirds of the gratuity to which he would have been entitled if he had not previously served?

Mr. FORSTER

The Regulations are precise, and were in force before the War.

Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORD

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question why an officer should be penalised for serving again by having his gratuity cut down by 50 per cent.?

Mr FORSTER

As I have told the hon. and gallant Gentleman that this was considered a very long time ago, after the South African War, I do not think there has been occasion to reconsider it since.