asked the Minister for Defence whether he has received any applications from ex-Q.M.S. P. Daly, Signals Corps, National Army, for arrears of ration allowance due from the 12th April, 1923, to the 15th July, 1923, and, if so, whether he will state when the arrears will be paid.

Numerous applications were received from Mr. Daly. A cheque for £2 6s.—being the amount due in respect of ration allowance—was sent to him on the 23rd April, 1925. Mr. Daly, however, apparently, refused this amount as a settlement of his claim. In the circumstances I regret that I can take no further action in the matter unless Mr. Daly is prepared to accept the £2 6s.

Is the Minister aware that the sum of £2 6s. was a ration allowance which was not drawn by the officer while he was sick, and, if the Minister contends that that sum is intended to be a ration allowance for a period other than the period in question, will he say whether it is usual to pay ration allowance in arrears, as otherwise it would mean that it has been paid in advance?

Certainly not. I have no records to show that this officer was sick at the time.

Is it not a fact that he was not on duty, that he was out sick, and is there no military record to show that he was absent, or does the record show that he was on duty?

The records do not show that he was out sick.

Would the Minister say whether this officer should lose his ration allowance because the military records are not up to date, and, as he is an officer of the Post Office, will the Minister not accept his word?

I cannot accept his word. I must go on the records. There is no mention of him being out sick during the period mentioned. He has been out sick at other periods.