Mr. McNeilasked the Secretary of State for War how many forms must be completed and what is the value of the postage involved when, consequent upon a soldier in hospital losing a handkerchief, it is decided to debit his account by 2½d., this being the price of the handkerchief?
§ Mr. A. HendersonWhen an item of barrack hospital equipment is lost by a soldier in hospital and it is considered that its value should be recovered from him, two forms are filled in. One is sent to the soldier's commanding officer for recovery of the amount and the other is sent to the officer in charge of barracks as authority for replacement. These forms are often delivered by hand but when this cannot be done a penny stamp is needed for each form. This procedure applies to all items of equipment, many of which are expensive and difficult to replace, but the officers at the hospital can use their discretion about applying it in a case such as that quoted by my hon. Friend.