HC Deb 26 October 1920 vol 133 cc1541-2
29. Mr. RENDALL

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why W. E. Cool, No. 240,543, Royal Air Force, demobilised in February last, has not not received his gratuity; whether he was first informed by the Woking paymaster that he was in debt to the extent of £10 15s. 11d, later that the debt was £11 16s. 5d., and later still received a statement saying that it was £15 17s. 11d., as far as could be ascertained; whether he has been told that a £10 gratuity and £1 for services are due to him and that in each of the different statements sent him, Cool has been informed that it was the final adjustment; whether Cool has stated that he never contracted any debt and never saw his pay book after his arrival in India; and, having regard to these facts, will he direct that Cool receives his gratuity forthwith?

Mr. CHURCHILL

This question should have been addressed to me as Secretary of State for Air, and not to the Financial Secretary to the War Office. It has nothing to do with the War Office, and does not concern that Department in any way. The details of the case are being investigated, and I will communicate with my hon. Friends as soon as the necessary inquiries are completed.

Mr. W. THORNE

How is it possible for a soldier when statements are made that he is in debt to disprove them?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Every soldier has the right to bring any complaints before his officer, and it is the duty of the officer to see that the soldier suffers no injustice in the matter of pay, and I believe that duty is most rigidly discharged by the officer.

Mr. T. THOMSON

Is it in order to make any deduction for debt from a gratuity so granted?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I said that the details of this case are being investigated, and in view of that I should like to have an opportunity to deal with the question.

Lieut.-Colonel J. WARD

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason why these cases are so numerous with reference to all units which served in India? There seems to be something lax as I hear of them everywhere I go?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I suppose the double accounting for the two theatres may have introduced an additional complication. I am quite ready to examine any case, and to sec that the soldiers get what they are really entitled to.