§ Mr. SCURRasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Civil Service Clerical Association communicated with his Department on 10th- April, 1926, respecting a claim to balance of civil pay of an ex-member 2302W of his Department (War Office letter 60/H/448 (F. 6) refers), and that, in spite of repeated reminders, no decision has yet been given on the claim; and whether he is in a position to say when the Civil Service Clerical Association will be furnished with a definite reply?
§ Captain KINGThe claim was not put forward to the War Office till over six years after the employé's demobilisation. This, combined with the fact that it was found to have been previously presented and rejected by the Board of Inland Revenue, necessitated considerable correspondence and research. But on 3rd August last, the Civil Service Clerical Association were informed that. the claim could not be entertained by the war Department. The Association appealed against the decision and certain aspects of the matter are still under consideration.
§ Colonel APPLINasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Civil Service Clerical Association communicated with his Department on the 25th September, 1925, asking whether the balance of civil pay of a second-class writer serving in the Royal Ordnance Factory, Enfield, might be reassessed; that this communication was acknowledged by his Department on the 28th September, 1925, reference 60/F/151 (F 6); that a formal rejection of the claim was made by his Department in a letter dated 27th November, 1925; that this rejection was contested by the Civil Service Clerical Association in a further letter dated 28th November, 1925; that following a series of reminders, and after a lapse of a further six months, his Department stated that before considering the claim further certain information 2303W was required; that the information asked for was communicated to the War Office by the 'Civil Service Clerical Association on the 2nd June, 1926, and that, in spite of repeated reminders, no decision has yet been given by him Department and whether he will take steps with a view to an early decision being given on the matter, and the prevention of the recurrence in future of delay in giving decisions on similar matters affecting the staff?
§ Captain KINGA reassessment of balance of civil pay has already taken place in this case, with the result that a sum of £65 13s. 7d. was paid to the employé in July, 1925. The claim made by the Association for the reassessment on a more favourable basis has raised an important point of principle on which a final decision cannot be given at present, but the matter will be expedited as far as possible.