§ 59. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for War why the wives of a number of soldiers serving in the Suez Canal Zone were recently notified that their marriage allowances and allotments were to cease at once, although their husbands still had some time to serve; and what emergency steps were taken to prevent inconvenience and hardship.
§ Mr. HeadOwing to a clerical mistake by the unit due to receive 52 supplementary reservists of the Royal Engineers who are expected to return to this country on 10th May, the regimental paymaster was led to believe that the soldiers had already returned and had been discharged. As a result, action was taken to withdraw payment of allowances to the 53 dependants concerned as from 28th April. However, the paymaster soon discovered the mistake in 35 cases 13W and avoided delay in payment to these dependants. His inquiries with the unit brought to light the remaining 18 cases on 28th April and postal drafts were sent to these dependants on that day.