HC Deb 14 July 1953 vol 517 cc1875-6
11. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for War how many claims for war gratuity and post-war credits were received after 1st January, 1953; and what is the total amount that has been disallowed.

Mr. Head

3,450 claims have been received since 1st January, 1953: but their investigation has shown that more than 3,350 of the applicants had either already been paid or had no entitlement. The total amount disallowed is approximately £730.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

As the amount involved is now very small, £730, is the War Office proposing, purely on a technicality, to deprive soldiers of this paltry sum? Why not pay out the lot and come clean?

Mr. Head

We had to end the scheme some time, for we should otherwise have gone on retaining clerical staff, which would have been a great waste. This was trumpeted all over the country by means of the B.B.C., posters and so on. It was a series of announcements. Where there was a good excuse we considered it.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is it not paltry when only £730 is involved?