asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that Mr. E. W. O'Neill, who was released from the Army on the disbandment of his Corps (Railway Protection and Maintenance Corps), on July 13th, 1923, has been refused demobilisation pay and grant for civilian clothes, on the grounds that the Army Order authorising them did not come into force till July 30th, 1923; whether, as this officer was demoblised owing to reduction of establishment, the decision can be reconsidered, and whether, as he has pre-Truce service, this officer will be eligible for a gratuity.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - SOLDIER'S DEMOBILISATION PAY AND GRANT.
Mr. O'Neill was demobilised owing to his being surplus to establishment, and in accordance with arrangements governing the dishandment of his Corps, he was granted 20 days' leave with pay for that period, which ended on the 31st July last. He has been refused demobilisation pay and a grant for civilian clothes on the ground that Defence Order (No. 26) relating to the matter, did not operate prior to the 15th September last. I regret that it is not practicable to make an exception to that order in his favour. I regret also that he is not eligible for a gratuity. It is intended that only officers demobilised under the provisions of Defence Order No. 28, which was issued on the 15th September last, for the purpose of facilitating the general demobilisation of officers then about to commence, should be entitled to consideration for awards of supplementary grants.