Major TERRELLasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the powers of the Civil Liabilities Committee with regard to officers; is there any and, if so, what limit to the amount of assistance the Committee can give an officer or as to the rank of the officers to whom assistance may be given; and has an officer to appeal to the Committee as a suppliant for charity or is he entitled to receive a grant as of right?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe scheme of the Civil Liabilities Committee extends to officers in the Army below the rank of captain and to officers of equivalent rank in the Navy. Assistance may be granted to such officers in cases of serious hardship to enable them to meet their civil obligations up to a limit of £104 per annum. The grants are paid out of public funds, and are in no sense charity, but the officer is, of course, required to produce evidence as to his financial position.