§ Mr. ASTORalso asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will consider the possibility of making the date of discharge from the Army coincide with the date when the pension first becomes payable?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe machinery now in operation was designed to secure the first payment of pension within a week of discharge. My hon. Friend will remember that the soldier receives a gratuity on discharge to tide over a short interval. I regret to find that this does not always produce the desired result, and, as I stated in Debate last night, I am considering further improvements.