§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the delays in paying soldiers' gratuities, and that William M'Laren, of 585, Springburn Road, Springburn, Glasgow, was demobilised on 24th January, 1918, and should have received his gratuity in the form of a Post Office Savings Bank account by the end of February, and notwithstanding that he has thrice written to the Controller and Accountant-General, General Post Office, London, and twice written to his paymaster, his gratuity is still unpaid; that many others are in the like position; and whether he will take steps to accelerate these payments either by employing some of the numerous unemployed discharged soldiers in the pay offices or otherwise facilitating the speedy making of payments, the want of which is causing hardship to and resentment on the part of those to whom they are overdue?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo, Sir; I am not aware of any general delay in the payment of these gratuities. The case of William McLaren is being investigated, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.
Captain COOTEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 5s. per month gratuity for home service is payable to soldiers who have been in receipt of civil pay for longer than three months during the War; and whether he will consider the justice of making this gratuity payable in cases where a soldier 364W has been in receipt of civil pay because wounds or sickness have incapacitated him from further active service?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe question whether service during which the soldier was employed on civilian work and in receipt of civil wages should reckon for War gratuity was carefully considered by the Government before the conditions were promulgated, and it is not proposed to make any alteration.