§ 44. Captain ALBERT SMITHasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been drawn to the case of S. and C. S. Mathie, No. 76361, J.B., Royal Engineers; whether he is aware that this man, who enlisted as a sapper, was appointed a shoesmith in January, 1915; that in September, 1915, the officer in charge Royal Engineers' records stated that Mathie's rank had been changed to that of shoesmith and that he had been put upon a consolidated rate of 5s. per day; that Mathie was paid at that rate until early in 1917, when a letter was received from the pay office to the effect that he was £90 in debt; and inquiries were instituted; that Mathie's new commanding officer ordered continuation of payment at the rate of 5s. per day; and that later a debt of £130 was registered against Mathie; whether it is now proposed to write off £78 of the debt; whether he is aware that Mathie has received no pay for a considerable period; and whether, in view of the fact that Mathie was paid the rate on the instructions of two commanding officers, he will give instructions that payment to him shall be resumed from the date on which it was stopped?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe matter is being investigated, and I will inform the hon. and gallant Member of the result.