asked the Minister for Defence if he has received complaints from Officers, NCOs and men of the Army reserve who were called up for duty during the 1969-70 emergency, about financial losses suffered by them as a result; and, if so, what action he has taken or will take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Reserve.
92.
I have received about 20 applications along the lines indicated by the Deputy from First Line Reserve personnel arising out of the call-out in August, 1969. The cases have been or are being investigated individually on their merits.
Would the Minister not agree that if men were called up in the period around August, 1969, and onwards and if they suffered severe financial losses it is unreasonable in December, 1970, to say that the matter is under consideration, particularly in view of the fact that in most cases those matters were brought to the Minister's notice almost immediately after those people were called up? In some cases the people concerned have since died and their widows are in a serious financial position because of this. I know the Minister is not personally responsible for this but I would ask him to try and get the matter cleared up.
A number of such cases have been clearned up satisfactorily.
Only a very small number.