Major NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to complaints made by officers who have had sums claimed by Army paymasters deducted from their gratuity without notice and although in their opinion the deduction was wrongfully made; whether, in such a case, an officer has any avenue of claiming either redress or an inquiry; and, if not, what steps will be taken to remedy the injustice involved?
§ Mr. FORSTERWhere a primâ facie public claim against an officer exists, the amount may be provisionally withheld from his gratuity before investigation, in order that the balance of the gratuity may be released without delay, in the officer's interests. Investigation by the military authorities always follows, and the officer has an opportunity of stating his case before final decision is given.