§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANEasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is true that Mary Wilson, who was left with six children unprovided for by the death of her husband when in discharge of his duty at the Gun Factory at Woolwich in October 1871, was recommended for a pension by the authorities at Woolwich and by the War Office, and that the Treasury rejected the application; and, whether this is in accordance with the practice formerly adopted?
§ MR. BAXTERSir, Robert Wilson was a non-established labourer in the Royal Gun Factories, who died from injuries received in the execution of his duty on the 5th of October, 1871, after nine months' service. He was not entitled to superannuation. On the 2nd of November, 1871, the Treasury awarded a compassionate gratuity of £20 to his widow, Mary Ann Wilson. That award was in accordance with the usual practice of the Treasury, in cases where the deceased was a non-established labourer not entitled to superannuation. If Robert Wilson had been an established labourer, an annual pension would have been granted to the widow.
§ MR. BAILLIE COCHRANEWas it not recommended by the woolwich authorities and by the Was Office that a pension should be granted?
§ MR. BAXTERIt was.