§ 27. Lieut.-Colonel GAULTasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that under Army Form W. 3458 certain other ranks who served during the War with the Somerset Royal Horse 257 Artillery (Territorial), 116th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, were credited with a balance of bounty of £10 each, which was subsequently omitted from their statements of account (Army Form W. 5065) on discharge; and if he will take such steps as may be necessary to have the balances referred to paid to the men concerned at an early date?
§ Mr. SANDERSI understand that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the bounty granted under Army Order 209 of 1916. Instructions were issued in 1920 for the balance of this bounty to be paid forthwith instead of being retained until the men concerned were discharged. I regret that at this distance of time when material facts and relevant documents are normally no longer available, I cannot investigate claims of this nature presented 10 years after they were due.
§ Lieut.-Colonel GAULTAm I right in understanding from the hon. Member's answer that the Government regards the moral liability of the State to its creditors as less than that of a bank to its depositors?