§ Sir MAURICE LEVYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War why the wives and dependants of many of the men of the 48th Labour Company have not received payment of separation allowances although the men have been in the Army for four months and are now in France, in spite of the fact that repeated applications have been made for the overdue allowances, to which applications the regimental paymaster and the separation allowance branch of the War Office have stated on 12th April and 9th June, respectively, that everything is done to expedite payments; who is responsible for this neglect, and what steps he proposes to take to secure the immediate payment of all allowances and arrears that have accrued; and whether he proposes to replace the officers responsible by men competent to carry out the duties of the Department?
§ Mr. FORSTERThrough oversights, which are much regretted, the men's claims for separation allowance did not reach the paymaster. The allowance is now being issued in most of the cases brought to notice by the hon. Member, and inquiry is being made into the remaining cases.