COLONEL LINDSAYsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, If it is true that three Pensioners, referred to in a letter to The Times of the 11th instant, have had the pensions awarded them for loss of limbs reduced from one shilling to ninepence a day; and, if so, upon what grounds a sailor is treated upon a different system from a soldier as to pensions for wounds?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETsaid, that these three pensioners had, according to the regulations, been awarded a pension of one shilling a day for one year, in order to ascertain whether by the end of the year they would be in a state to gain their livelihood or a part of it. According to the regulations, if an able seaman, having lost two limbs required the care of another person, he should have a pension of from one shilling and sixpence to two shillings a day; but if for a less injury, not requiring the care of another person, from one shilling to one shilling and sixpence, if able to contribute in a small degree to his livelihood, from ninepence to one shilling; and if in a considerable degree from sixpence to ninepence. After a year these men were again examined, and it was found that they were able to contribute to their livelihood, therefore their pension was reduced to ninepence. But they could claim to enter Greenwich Hospital, and if they did they would receive an allowance of three shillings a week according to the new regulations.