§ 43. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he will give a definition of the words, satisfactory paid military service, as used in Army Order 325, of 1919; whether he will state if, at the time that Order was published, the Army Council had ruled that at least 12 months' satisfactory paid military service must be given during the late War for a pre-War pensioner to qualify for re-assessment of his Service pension; if so, why this period was not laid down in the Order; and whether he will now consider an amendment to this ruling, which involves hardship to a number of men who in many cases made considerable sacrifice when, from patriotic motives, they came forward at a time of national emergency to join the Army, and were discharged, through no fault of their own, before completing 12 months' service in the War?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI am not pre-pared to give a formal definition of the words in question; but the time limit tentatively adopted is no longer operative.
§ Colonel ASHLEYDo I understand that each case is decided on its merits?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI would rather have notice of that question.