HC Deb 14 March 1923 vol 161 cc1566-7
94. Mr. TILLETT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War on what grounds the War Office has refused to assist regimental funds which have suffered as a result of the failure of M`Grigor's Bank; and why the distinction is made between compensation to officers and the non-payment of any compensation to funds concerned with private soldiers and non-commissioned officers, many of which funds are devoted solely to charitable purposes?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Lieut.-Colonel Guinness)

In view of the very varied nature of the accounts classed as regimental funds, it was decided by the Government that the grant of 10s. in the £ should be given only in cases where the loss involved serious hardship to individuals. That, I think, covers the hon. Member's point about charitable purposes. The decision whether such hardship exists in each case was entrusted to a Committee presided over by Lord Askwith. The War Office is giving effect to the findings of that Committee. In this respect there is no distinction between officers and men.