§ 40. Mr. GILBERTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why an Order has been issued of 28th February to non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Defence Corps stating that the increase of pay set forth in Army Order 1 of 1918 is not applicable to them, and instructions have been issued that when the additional 3d. has been paid steps are to be taken to curtail cash payments in adjustment of such over-payments; whether he is aware that this Order has called forth the greatest resentment of the men in this corps, all of whom are old soldiers, and many of them wounded men returned from the front, and transferred into the Royal Defence Corps through no fault of their own; and can he have this Order cancelled at once, and this branch of the Army given the increase of pay the same as other branches?
§ Mr. FORSTERI would refer the hon. Member to my reply on the 11th instant to my hon. Friend the Member for North Islington. It is hoped that further instructions will be issued within a few days.