§ 41. Mr. R. GWYNNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Mr. A. T. White, of 60, Longstone Road, Eastbourne, late lance-corporal, No. WR/199068, Royal Engineers, has not yet received a settlement of his Army account owing to the non-receipt of his last pay certificate from India; whether his last pay certificate has been lost; and whether, seeing that this man has been demobilised for over a year and that the War Office are in his debt to the extent of about £80, including time-expired bounty, refund of compulsory allotment stoppage, and gratuity, he will have the account settled forthwith?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONNo information has been received to the effect that the last pay certificate of ex-lance-corporal T. White, Royal Engineers, has been lost. It was cabled for on 29th January last, 1594 and a further cable has been despatched requesting that this document be sent forthwith. As soon as it is received from India, the account will be finally settled, but as his account stands in the Home Paymaster's book, he has already received his terminal credits.
§ Mr. GWYNNEIf these papers have not been lost, may I ask why it is that this man has been kept waiting a year for money due to him, and has only just received, after urgent representations, a payment on account?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI cannot answer that. I can only say that we are doing all we can to get these accounts settled. If the accounts are lost, we shall assume the matter, and deal with the man fairly.
§ Mr. GWYNNEHow much longer is he to wait?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONWe have cabled to our representative in India to take the matter up personally, and at once.