§ Mr. FORESTIER-WALKERasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the Post Office Circular of the 29th September, 1914, invited men with a knowledge of telegraph and postal duties to enlist under the following terms, full civil pay together with all Army pay and allowances, and that this arrangement held good until the separation allowance to married men with children was increased owing to the cost of living; that when this increase was made the Post Office deducted the amount of such increase from the men's civil pay and all subsequent increases, and that the demobilisation gratuity is not paid to such men; and what action he proposes to take in the interest of these postal servants?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe facts are as stated. As regards the deductions from civil pay, I have recently reviewed the whole question, and, on the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown, I have decided to cease the deductions and to refund those already made. The question of the gratuity is one for the Army Council.