§ Sir GEORGE TOUCHEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that old soldiers who have been recalled and placed in recruit battalions, although in some cases only a few months have elapsed since they left the Service and the drills have not materially altered, lose their proficiency pay when they are called up, and that long intervals elapse before they receive the bounty, some of them being warned and fitted out for a draft before obtaining it; and, as these men were given to understand that they would be reinstated at the old rate, will he endeavour to accelerate the payment of the bounty and the restoration of proficiency pay, and so remove any distrust and dissatisfaction caused by the delays?
§ Mr. FORSTERPrevious service counts for proficiency pay, and if a man were drawing it on discharge ho would resume it on being called up Special instructions have been issued that claims for bounty should be rendered promptly, and if my hon. Friend is aware of any instances to the contrary, I shall be glad to have details in order that they may be investigated.