§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in relation to the case of Captain W. J. Chilcott, quartermaster of the South Irish Horse, he will explain in what respect Captain Chilcott's services as quarter- 1491W master were part-time services; whether he is aware that in fact Captain Chilcott devoted the whole of his time in pursuance or his contract with the commanding officer, in accordance with the observations of that officer referred to in War Office letter 91/Irish Horse/132 (F. 4), dated the 15th August, 1912; whether the Department accepts liability for services rendered in pursuance of such contract; whether he is aware that Captain Chilcott performed the duties of acting adjutant of the South Irish Horse until disbandment of the regiment on the 3rd May, 1922: and, that being so, what is the justification for depriving him of payment for services rendered subsequent to the official disbandment of which service the Army Council have had the benefit?
§ Mr. GWYNNECaptain Chilcott's services as quartermaster of the South Irish Horse were part-time services in the sense that (except during mobilisation when he received the full Army pay of his appointment) the official duties of his post were not sufficient to occupy the whole time of an officer, and the War Office letter of 15th August, 1912, to which the hon. Member refers, does not in any way imply that this was a whole-time appointment. The salary of £100 was not a direct liability of Army funds, but was chargeable against the grants made by the War Office to the regiment for administrative purposes; and the War Office could not accept liability, under any contract between the commanding officer and Captain Chilcott, for the continuance of his salary during a period when his regiment had no active existence and therefore had no grants out of which the salary could be paid. For such duties as Captain Chilcott performed during this period he has received, as I have already stated, a special payment of £75, which is considered to be adequate.