§ Sir Smedley Crookeasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to recent police court proceedings before the Melksham magistrates who, on conviction of a soldier in the Pioneer Corps for a minor offence and 1752W ordering a fine to be paid within 14 days, were told by defendant that he could not pay the fine as he had been charged £17 10s. for his kit which was thrown away, by order, at Dunkirk, and that it was being stopped out of his pay; and whether this treatment had the sanction of the War Office?
§ Sir J. GriggThis case has been looked into. The soldier's account was in credit on 25th December, 1942, but on 29th January, 1943, it was £1 0s. 6d. in debt due to forfeiture of 16 days' pay because he had been absent without leave. At no time was he charged £17 10s. or any other amount for loss of kit at Dunkirk. Such charges are not made when kit is lost as a result of enemy action and in circumstances like the evacuation from Dunkirk and I am glad to have this opportunity to kill this slander.