§ 67. Mr. Nieldasked the Secretary of State for War if the Army Pay Office await acknowledgment or wait a reasonable time after notifying an officer of the intention to make a lump sum deduction from pay before, in fact, making such deduction; and if there is any limit of time after which such deductions are not made.
Mr. Bellenģer:I assume the Question refers to recovery of overissues. In such cases, paying authorities are not empowered except in the case of an officer on release leave to make a lump sum deduction from an officer's pay without his agreement. When an overissue is discovered, the paying authority informs the 286W officer and invites him to make proposals for repayment either in a lump sum or, if this would involve hardship, by monthly instalments. At the same time, the officer is informed that, pending receipt of his proposals for repayment, a small monthly deduction will be made from his pay as a provisional measure. These deductions are based on the rate of pay he is receiving and they do not begin until the next but one issue of pay after he has been informed of the over-issue. Deductions are not limited to my period of time, but all cases are referred to the War Office if the amount of the overissue cannot be recouped within 12 months at a rate of repayment agreed to by the officer.