§ 33. Mr. W. NICHOLSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Lieut.-Commander H. E. Sanders, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, was demobilised on 17th February, 1919; that he applied for his war gratuity on 22nd March, and again on 23rd May, and 1148 that he has received no reply to his applications; whether he can state why there has been such delay in the payment of this gratuity; and whether he is aware of the general dissatisfaction at the delay in the payment of claims among the officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who have been demobilised?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOwing to a misunderstanding as to the demobilisation having become effective, it is regretted that delay has occurred in this case, but steps have been taken to pay the gratuity in full to-day. As regards the last part of the question, I have no reason to believe that general dissatisfaction exists. I know that numerous letters have been received from Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officers expressing their appreciation of the speedy manner in which their claims have been dealt with.