§ Sir D. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for War why the pay account of 22487662 Guardsman Gunn, was incorrectly recorded on his statement of account on discharge from the Army on completion of his term of National Service; why the increase of pay of 1s. per day due on completion of six months' service from November, 1951, was never paid to him during his service; and why its omission only came to light after the soldier had written to his Member of Parliament and after the Regimental Paymaster had written to the soldier on 11th February, 1953, intimating that his statement of account had received further scrutiny and had been confirmed correct.
§ Mr. J. R. H. HutchisonI have already written to my hon. Friend on the details of this case and have expressed my regret that a mistake occurred in handling it. On the specific questions, the soldier's account was correct apart from the failure to credit an increment of pay130W after six months' service. This increase is not automatic and unfortunately the omission was not detected when the soldier first complained because the pay office misunderstood the particular item which was not agreed.