asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that there is an account of about £400 due to Mr. A. Duggan, Millstreet, Co. Cork; that an early settlement was promised in January last; and if he will arrange to have this account paid forthwith.

Accounts amounting to £361 17s. 5d. have been received from Mr. Duggan, and a payment of £200 on account was made to him on the 10th of August last. A settlement in respect of the balance will be effected as quickly as possible.

I am informed that a further account of £144 5s. 9d. in respect of the occupation of his premises by troops was discharged by the Office of Public Works on the 25th ultimo.

asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that there is an account of about £40 due to Mr. J. Driscoll, Millstreet, Co. Cork, that an early settlement of this account was promised in January last, and if he will arrange to have payment made forthwith.

An account amounting to £42 14s. 0d. for goods stated to have been supplied to the Army was received from Mr. Driscoll at Headquarters on the 15th of April last, and, in response to a request, details of the account were furnished by him on the 9th of May. Since then it has not been possible, owing to demobilisation of the officers concerned to obtain certification of the account as being correct. Mr. Driscoll has been asked to furnish any available documents in proof of his account. On receipt payment will be made without avoidable delay.

Would the Minister be surprised to learn that I was informed six months ago in Portobello Barracks that it is not necessary to have certification made by the officers concerned now. The then newly-appointed Brigade Claims Officers would be asked to investigate and on their statements accounts would be paid. That information certainly does not tally with the reason given by the Minister on this occasion.

It is obvious where the officers concerned are not available or cannot be traced that there cannot be certification.

Have not claims officers been appointed for each Command to go through these accounts?

That is so.