§ Major LLOYD-GREAMEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Captain Cecil Owen Gray, attached to the Royal Army Medical Corps, who was granted an allowance of £40 per annum by the Civil Liabilities Committee; whether he is aware that this allowance was subsequently cancelled, subject to appeal on the ground that he was in receipt of a family allowance; that this officer has made repeated applications to the secretary of the committee for leave to appeal; and that no notice has been taken of these applications; and whether he will give directions that the officer's appeal may be considered forthwith?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been asked to reply to this question. I am informed that the Grant of £40 per annum which was awarded to Captain Cecil Gray was withdrawn at the beginning of last year, when all Grants to officers were reconsidered, in view of the provision of children's allowances. The Civil Liabilities Committee is empowered to give assistance only in cases of serious financial hardship due to an applicant having undertaken military service. On the reconsideration of Captain Gray's case, the Committee, having regard to his income before and after joining His Majesty's1226W Forces, were unable to consider that there was any longer in his case such serious financial hardship due to his military service as would justify them in continuing the Grant. I understand that Captain Gray's letters have been answered by the Committee, and that the grounds of the Committee's decision in his case have been communicated to him.