§ Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the military officer in charge of an ordnance depot in Palestine who without any authority under regulations, enforced a system of arbitrary fines on civilian employees for alleged, but unproven, offences of a trivial nature; whether he is aware that Military Headquarters, Palestine, has refused to refund these unauthorised fines; that representations addressed to his Department in August last by the recognised staff association have received no reply; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. LawsonMy attention has been called to the facts alleged, and I am having further inquiries made. I hope that a reply can shortly be given to the staff association concerned.