§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for War what authority exists for the stoppage of pay and allowances to a soldier believed to be absent without leave prior to the holding of a court of inquiry under Section 72 of the Army Act.
§ Mr. Lawson:Section 138 (1) of the Army Act provides for the forfeiture of all ordinary pay for every day of absence either on desertion or without leave. A soldier absent from his place of duty without permission and for no ascertained reason is unable to receive his pay while absent. If he subsequently returns or is apprehended and is convicted of desertion or of absence without leave his pay for the period of absence is forfeited under the above quoted section. The suspension of family allowance after seven days' absence is made under the authority of the Royal Warrant (Paragraph 7 of the Schedule to the Royal Warrant promulgated as Army Order 135 of 1943).