§ MR. STURROCKasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that James Anderson, postman, Arbroath, is being compelled to repay to the Treasury a total sum of £95 in weekly instalments, deducted from his pay as a Post Office employé of 5s.; whether he is aware that as a soldier Anderson served long and creditably abroad; and whether, in view of the fact that in his absence on service he knew nothing of the official error by which his mother was granted a larger allotment than she was entitled to, steps can now be taken to place the burden of repayment on the official at fault?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHThe facts are as stated in the question. Mr. Anderson has inadvertently received, through his nominee, public money to which he was not entitled; there is no evidence that the deductions now being made are causing hardship, and I see no reason to modify the arrangement. The circumstances are not such as to warrant any calling upon the officer responsible for the overpayment to make it good; as a matter of fact he has retired from the Service.