§ Mr. JOHN DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the reason why Corporal W. Dunshee, No. 225173, 2/4th squadron, Royal Air Force, care of General Post Office, London, who was demobilised on 19th January last, has not received his arrears of pay nor his bounty; is he aware that repeated letters to his pay office at Woking by the pensions officer and the Employment Exchange officer at Smethwick have failed to elicit a reply; that this man met with a serious accident at his work in February and is now in hospital awaiting his fifth operation, and that his progress towards recovery is retarded by worry over the position of his wife, who is in great need; whether he will cause an immediate inquiry to be made; and, if the facts 1701W are as stated, what steps will be taken to administer punishment to the officials responsible for this neglect?
§ Major-General SEELYThere has been a very great pressure of work recently in connection with the payment of arrears of pay and bounty, and in a few cases delay has resulted. I have given instructions which, I hope, will prevent the occurrence of further cases of delay so far as it possible. The account of Corporal Dunshee is now settled, the balance of his pay and his war gratuity having been sent on to him.