§ MR. FOX MAULErose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to abolish poundage now deducted from Chelsea pensioners. He observed, that it would not be necessary to occupy the attention of the House for more than a short time. What was called poundage, was paid by every man in Chelsea Hospital who was entitled to a reward for long service, wounds, or decrepitude: they had been deprived of it nearly one hundred years ago, and he was disposed to think that it was at that time just and equitable to deduct it. Previous to the year 1754, discharged soldiers had pensions allotted to them on the 1st of 486 January, and no part of the money was paid to them until the 31st December following: the pensions were then paid annually and in arrear. The consequence was, that the pensioner constantly found at his elbow money-lenders ready to take advantage of him; but in 1754 Government thought it absolutely necessary, in justice to the pensioner, to check the practice, and a law was then passed, that thenceforward all payments of the kind should be made in advance: it was also made penal for any person to lend himself to the forestalling of a pension. In order to make up to the public the payment of this sum in advance, the pensioner was charged five per cent; and he was at that time very glad to submit to the deduction. This course was continued until 1833, and up to this moment five per cent was taken from nearly all the pensions to men belonging to Chelsea College, except in the cases of men enlisted since 1833. On looking into the matter, he also found that no deduction was made from pensions granted to the navy; and as it had been the practice to pay artillerymen through the Ordnance Department, and as the Act of 1754 had been overlooked, they too escaped the payment of poundage. Attention had been directed to the subject of this irregularity, and to the general injustice of poundage, last year, by his hon. Friend behind him (Captain Layard), and at his instance the subject was deliberately considered during the recess. The result had been that Ministers had determined to ask the House to sanction the abolition of poundage. They had arrived at this conclusion not only on account of the anomalous nature of the charge, but on account of the very inconvenient system it introduced with reference to the public service. The sum deducted might seem small to those who heard him, but it was by no means small to the veterans who were called upon to make the sacrifice. It was but an act of justice to the men that the old soldier should enjoy the whole sum awarded to him by his grateful country, and for these reasons he moved for leave to bring in the Bill.
§ CAPTAIN LAYARDshould belie his feelings if he did not express his satisfaction and delight at the course Ministers had taken. These gallant and worn-out warriors had the highest claim, and it was fit that those claims should in every way be acknowledged, and to the fullest extent.
§ SIR DE LACY EVANSexpressed his 487 acknowledgments to the Government for this act of justice. He much doubted whether the deduction was at all just in 1754, and he was quite certain that it was most unjust at present.
§ SIR H. DOUGLASalso stated his entire satisfaction at the proposed change.
§ Leave given. Bill brought in and read a first time.