§ Lieut.-Colonel Sharpasked the Secretary of State for War the average time taken by his Department to deal with applications from ex-Servicemen for the payment of postwar credits and gratuities; and when these will be paid to 1652386 Private R. Pillings, K.O.Y.L.I., who, when in Release Group 27, was granted indefinite release in October, 1945, and whose application for such payment, early in 1946, has not yet been met.
§ Mr. LawsonThese benefits are now paid at the time of release, without application. I regret that, owing to a clerical error, Mr. Pillings' case was overlooked when he was granted indefinite release. Steps have been taken to issue the amount due. Ex-Servicemen who left the Army before the introduction of the release scheme must apply for payment, as has182W already been publicly announced. Payment has been made in about 400,000 cases; some 100,000 claims are s all awaited. Forms are obtainable at Post Offices. There is no delay on receipt of the form.