§ 10. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the year 1919, the Secretary of State for War requested a British general and other British officers to proceed to the Baltic Provinces on a military and political mission for the British Government; and whether, seeing that this mission was a success and gave excellent results, which have been recorded in the War Office and Foreign Office Departments, he will say if the whole of the expenses of the mission have been borne by the British Government, or whether the Army Council is charging the British general who was at the head of the mission with some part of these expenses, and is deducting the amount from his half-pay?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSMy hon. Friend's question has reference to expenditure on entertainment, the whole of which cannot be borne by public funds. The general officer concerned was allotted a specific sum for this purpose, but exceeded it. A portion of the excess has been met by an additional grant, and the balance is being recovered from the officer.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman himself and the War Office expressed entire sympathy with this officer, and, seeing that it is admitted that this money was spent in the service of the State, is it not very hard that it should be deducted from his half-pay while it is being referred to the 1681 Conference in Paris for submission to the other nations whom it is suggested should contribute to this expenditure? Is there no sum from which it could be drawn in this country?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIt is not a matter of sympathy, but a matter of Regulation. If there is a possibility of making a further grant, it will be made.