asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether temporary men and women clerks employed during the War by Messrs. McGrigor who had personal accounts with the bank, and in consequence lost the greater part of their savings, are being refused the ex gratin payment; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that their service with the bank was essentially war service, this decision can be reconsidered?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. These clerks were the private employés of Messrs. McGrigor, and were in no case employed by the War Office. Their case was fully examined by Lord Askwith's Committee, and I regret that I cannot hold out the hope that the decision will be reconsidered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the payment of 10s. in the pound, which is being made to certain sufferers through the failure of Messrs. McGrigor, is refused in the case of regimental funds for charitable and other purposes which were entrusted to that firm; and, if so, what is the reason for this refusal?

In view of the very varied nature of the accounts classed as regimental funds, it was decided by the Government that the grant of 10s. in the pound should be given only in cases where the loss involved serious hardship to individuals. The application of this rule in particular cases has been referred to Lord Askwith's Committee.