25. Major NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the feeling aroused by the delay in granting war gratuities to demobilised officers and the hardship often occasioned by such delay; and whether, having regard to the promptness with which the Board of Trade have been able to obtain and pay over-the sums due to those engaged in the coal-getting industry under recent awards, he can explain the difficulty that stands in the way of an equally prompt settlement of awards to officers of the Army?
§ Mr. FORSTERI would invite the attention of my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to a question on 20th instant to the hon. Member for Harrow, to the effect that the Army agents hope very shortly to have overtaken the arrears. There is no analogy with the payments to miners, referred to.
Major NEWMANCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Army agents will be able to get up with their work?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs I said in the answer to which I have referred, they hope to get up with it by the end of the month.