§ 6. Mr. G. Straussasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make arangements that when men in the Army are informed by the paymaster that they are in debt, they can ascertain the cause of the debt?
§ Sir J. GriggSoldiers are not told directly by the paymaster, if they are in debt, but through their company commanders, to whom particulars of the state of their men's accounts and the reasons for any debts are conveyed on individual forms. If a soldier disagrees with the rates of pay or the balance given on this form, the company commander is instructed to return it to the paymaster giving the reason for the disagreement. Arrangements have been made to get the agreement to their balances once every three months of soldiers serving at home and the same procedure will be extended to those abroad as opportunity offers.
§ Mr. StraussIs the Minister aware that sometimes a soldier cannot ascertain the reason why he is in debt, although he has asked for the information, that the Army authorities say that they do not know and that they cannot find out?
§ Sir J. GriggI daresay accidents hap-pen in the best regulated families, but that is not in accordance with Regulations.
§ Mr. StraussIf I forward some cases, will the Minister be good enough to look into them?
§ Sir J. GriggYes, Sir.