HC Deb 02 July 1919 vol 117 cc988-9W
Captain COOTE

asked the Postmaster-General whether over four months' delay in the payment of gratuities is still a common occurrence; and whether he will cause payment to be expedited in the following cases; Private G. Barker, No. 33880, 9th York and Lancaster Regiment,. Private T. Marcon, No. 639960, Labour Corps, and Sapper Burnham, No. 84918, Royal Engineers, all of Norwich, in all of which notification of credit was made to the General Post Office by the regimental paymasters concerned some months ago?

Mr. PEASE

The general position in regard to payment of gratuities is indicated in a reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Midlothian and Peebles (Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. Hope) on the 21st May. The number of gratuities already paid is over 3,000,000, and cases of serious delay are relatively few. My right hon. Friend has written to the hon. Member about the individual cases to which he refers

Mr. WIGNALL

asked the Secretary of State for War the reason why regimental paymaster, No. 1, York, requires ex-Lance-Corporal W. S. Collins, No. 33283, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, to submit Army Form W5.063 again in respect of his claim for the balance of £13 15s. gratuity to which he is entitled, as Army Form W5,063 was submitted with full particulars and properly completed on 25th February, 12th March, and 12th May, 1919, and the claimant holds receipts for the two latter forms?

Mr. FORSTER

I am making inquiries-into this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member later.

Mr. WATERSON

asked the Financial' Secretary to the War Office if Corporal J. G. Liddington, No. 15169, 6th North-ants, was killed on 17th February, 1917, and that the gratuity has not been paid over yet; that letters have been written; for it but no answer can be obtained; and, seeing that the aged mother is seriously ill and needs it at once, if he will take steps to secure the payment of any sums due?

Mr. FORSTER

When the war gratuity was approved in December last, it became necessary to reopen the accounts of the great number of men who had lost their lives during the War. Settlement is being carried out in order of date of death, and I am afraid it will be some time before 1917 cases are reached. Public announcement has been made that application is unnecessary, and to enter into correspondence on individual cases would only have the effect of creating further delay and difficulty. Everything possible is being done to expedite settlement.