§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Secretary of State for War whether Mr. Ernest A. Tyler, architect and civil engineer, voluntarily joined up in August, 1915, and was given a commission on the staff of the Royal Engineering Service and for two years of his service carried out major's duties without either major's pay or rank; whether immediately after the Armistice he applied for demobilisation on the ground that he was urgently required for civil life for reconstructional purposes, but was told that he could not be spared until after the 3th April, 1919, when he was gazetted out as from the date, and has not received any gratuity; whether he will state what is the reason for the gratuity being withheld in this case, especially in view of the injustice already done to Mr. Tyler in depriving him of rank and pay suitable to the duties which he was discharging; whether early in January last the War Office informed Mr. Tyler that if he gave particulars and applied to the Command Paymaster, Southern Command, under Army Order 437, 1919, his gratuity would be paid; whether, upon his doing so, the paymaster informed him that, as he asked to be demobilised, he could not admit the claim; and whether, in the interests of the service, he will inquire into this case and see that justice is done to this ex-officer who has already suffered much damage owing to his patriotic action in joining up without waiting for conscription?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI will have this case investigated, and see that any gratuity due is issued without delay.
§ Sir HENRY HARRISasked the Secretary of State for War whether an officer of the Special Reserve of Officers, who rendered valuable services during the War for which he has been thanked by the Army Council, and who has been asked by the Army Council to resign his 655W commission on the ground that the number of officers in the Special Reserve is largely in excess of establishment, is entitled to receive a gratuity on his retirement?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONOfficers of the Special Reserve in such cases as that referred to have already received gratuities under Article 497 of the Royal Warrant. No further gratuity is payable.