asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that P. J. Higgins, ex-Captain, National Army, has not received arrears of pay due to him from March 31st, 1923, to March 7th, 1924, although he made repeated applications to the Pay Department concerned, and had his claims duly certified by his superior officer; if he is aware that Mr. Higgins did not receive even a reply to his applications; if he is aware that though he was acting as an officer during the period mentioned he only received £1 4s. 6d. per week, instead of a flat rate of £4 10s. 0d., as was shown on the Army list against his name; if he will state why he was demobilised at private soldier's rate, when officers, exactly on the same lines as he, were paid according to their rank, and if he will give instructions that the arrears of pay due to Mr. Higgins will be paid to him?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - EX-CAPTAIN'S REMUNERATION.
SEAN MAC GIOLLA 'N RIOGH
A claim in respect of arrears of pay has been received from ex-Captain Higgins in respect of the period mentioned. His claim was duly acknowledged, and he was informed that it was under investigation. Considerable difficulty arose in the case due to the fact that prior to the period in question he had been serving as an officer under an assumed name, and owing to misunderstandings he was paid at a private's rate of pay, and demobilised accordingly. The circumstances of the case have now been cleared up, and arrears of pay at the rate appertaining to his rank are being paid forthwith.