§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that several non-commissioned officers on the old staff of the Army Pay Department, whose medical category is A 1, have submitted applications under Army Council Orders for 1419W transfer to a Cadet unit with a view to commissions in the fighting forces, but were refused because they were indispensable to the Pay Department; and, if so, why are they penalised because of their good work?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is a soldier's duty to serve in whatever capacity is most advantageous not to himself, but to the Army as a whole. I am, however, most anxious to place at the disposal of the military authorities for combatant work anyone who can be spared from clerical duty, and I will have the cases in question brought up for further consideration.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether a number of men of the Army Pay Corps at Nottingham have been punished, and one court-martialled, for not wearing puttees; whether the Order making the wearing of puttees by men engaged in sedentary occupations compulsory prevails throughout the Kingdom; and what is the total cost involved in supplying such men with puttees which, from the nature of their occupation, are entirely useless and unsuitable?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.