§ Sir CHARLES HANSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether Territorials who prior to the outbreak of war re-enlisted for any period of service up to three years and subsequently re-enlisted for the duration of the War have received on re-enlistment, under Army Order 209, 1916, a gratuity of £15 and a month's furlough, whereas Territorials who previous to the outbreak of war re-enlisted for a definite periodof four years and who have served for the same length of time have not been given the option of further re-enlistment and have been denied both the gratuity and the furlough given to the men under the Army Order cited; whether he is aware that this distinction has created and is still causing dissatisfaction on the ground of inequality of treatment and injustice; and whether he can see his way to Amend the Order or to issue a new 2266W Order and to secure to the four years'men the same treatment as has been given to the others?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThis gratuity was. given to men who had finished their engagements, in consideration of their compulsory retention for a further period. There was no option. If my hon. Friend's suggestion is that the gratuity should be extended to cases in which there is no compulsory retention, I am afraid I cannot adopt it.