§ Mr. HODGEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is now in a position to communicate his decision with respect to the claim of the viewers of the Royal Army Clothing Department; and whether, considering the patience displayed by the men concerned, he will arrange for immediate payment of their claim?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe claim of these viewers is to pay for certain days on which, in accordance with long-established custom in the Royal Army Clothing Department and other Government establishments, the Department was closed without pay to workmen. Their case does not differ from that of very large numbers of other workmen, and, after very full consideration, I find it impossible to admit their claim.