§ Mr. Granville Sharpasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reverse the decision of Regimental Paymaster, R.E.M.E., Devizes, not to send a full statement of accounts to 1408910T S./Sgt. A. Pawson, R.E.M.E., of 59, Kitson Hill Road, Mirfield
§ Mr. ShinwellThe balance on a soldier's account is notified to him from time to time throughout his service from which he is able to reconstruct his account, and it is not normally necessary for a statement to be prepared for the whole of a soldier's service. The preparation of such statements takes a considerable time and as pay offices are overburdened with the accelerated release programme and handicapped by a severe shortage of staff the time cannot easily be spared without seriously affecting the normal work of the office. It is for these reasons that soldiers who ask for full statements with a view to disputing their final settlements are usually asked to give details of the grounds on which they base their claims for further credits in order that the paymaster can investigate and satisfy the complainants of the particular points in question. As a special case, however, I have arranged for a full statement of account to be prepared for Staff Sergeant Pawson, and it will be forwarded to him in the near future.