§ 21. Mr. Thomas Fraserasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ensure that when a soldier is paid in excess of what his trade qualification warrants, due to an erroneous rate of pay being recorded in his pay-book, any excess payment, when discovered, will not be put against the man's account and recovered from his Army pay, so long as it has not been established that he had any responsibility for the erroneous recording.
§ Sir J. GriggIssues of cash to soldiers are invariably recorded against their accounts as soon as the paymaster receives his notification of the payment, and I am afraid that it is impracticable to depart from this rule. Where an over-issue has occurred, owing to causes outside the soldier's own control, any resulting debt or balance is submitted by the paymaster for consideration of a write-off, in whole or in part, if the debt is not recoverable by restriction of ordinary cash issues within a reasonably short period. Where the case is not so submitted by the paymaster, it is open to the commanding officer to ask for it to be specially submitted if any special considerations arise. I am satisfied that the procedure relieves soldiers of any real hardship, and I cannot agree that a soldier who has received money to which he is not entitled should be automatically relieved of any liability to repay it.
§ Mr. FraserCan I take it that, when there is specific hardship, the money overissue is not deducted from the man's pay in future?
§ Sir J. GriggIt is adjusted either by the regimental paymaster or by the commanding officer, but the hon. Member can take it that, broadly speaking, hardship does not arise in these cases.