§ Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Secretary of State for War whether Sapper H. W. Wilson, No. 152,167, of the Royal Engineers, left Poona with his accounts approximately clear and was paid on the date of departure a sum of 300 rupees because of his pass in the field service test in Arabic; whether the statement of accounts supplied by the regimental paymaster at Chatham, which covered the period 27th January, 1919, to the 4th April, 1919, showed a debtor balance of £15 13s. 5¼d, on transfer to home payments; whether Sapper Wilson has also been debited with the sum of £17 10s. for sick furlough payment; whether the regimental paymaster informed Sapper Wilson 235W that, if he was dissatisfied with the entry £15 13s. 5¼d., he must get into communication with the authorities at Poona, but that he must immediately refund the sick furlough payment of £17 10s.; and whether, having regard to the unbusiness-like way in which these accounts have been dealt with, he will cause early and full inquiries to be made?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe account of 152,167, Sapper H. Wilson, Royal Engineers, on transfer from India, showed a debtor balance of £13 19s. 10¼d., which was reduced by £6 13s. 4d. on the discovery that a double charge of 100 rupees had been made. He was paid 300 rupees by the Indian authorities for Arabic test. The debit of £17 10s. was in respect of an erroneous payment of War gratuity to which the man was not entitled; and which the paymaster is justified in endeavouring to recover. His account now shows a debtor balance of £15 11s. The regimental paymaster is communicating with the Indian authorities for a copy of this ex-soldier's account covering the period he was paid by India.