27. Mr. T. WILSONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that a number of men who were acting non-commissioned officers when they were taken prisoners at Mons, and who are now interned in Holland after enduring over three years in German prison camps, have recently been informed that they revert to private rank with the consequent loss of the extra pay covering a period of nearly four years; and whether this decision can be reconsidered?
§ Mr. FORSTERUp to the 24th May last a prisoner of war holding acting rank at the date of capture relinquished both his acting rank and the pay thereof. Under the existing instructions a prisoner of war retains his acting rank, but ceases to draw the pay from the date of capture. I am not aware of the recent cases of reversion to private's rank referred to by my hon. Friend but, if he will furnish particulars of any of the men affected, I shall be happy to make inquiries. Many applications have been received regarding non-commissioned officers who were given acting rank early in the War and in a number of cases their acting rank has been substantiated.