§ Major HURSTasked the Secretary of State for War whether any notice was given to Post Office employés who joined the Colours in 1914 that they would not be entitled to any war gratuity; whether he is aware that Sapper W. H. Grantham, No. 72768, Royal Engineers (Signal Section), was on 22nd February, 1919, refused 433W a gratuity after over four years' service on the sole ground that he was in civil life a Post Office engineer in Manchester; and, if so, wheher such refusal is in accordance with the Regulations as to war gratuities?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe war gratuity is a special grant, outside the terms of service under which soldiers are enlisted, and not approved by Government until December last. It was not possible to anticipate in 1914 the giving of such a gratuity or the conditions that might be attached to the grant. These conditions specifically excluded men in receipt of full civil pay, in-addition to military emoluments, and if as is presumed this is the ground on which Sapper Grantham was refused the gratuity, the refusal is strictly in accordance with the Regulations.
§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Secretary of State for War whether an officer who was gazetted temporary captain in August, 1915, and acted as such until April, 1917, and subsequently reverted to the permanent rank of lieutenant under an Army Order which came into force after he had volunteered his services, is entitled to a war gratuity on the pay he received as a captain?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe answer is in the negative.