§ MR. P. A. TAYLORasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is a fact that the age-pensions paid out of the Greenwich Hospital Funds to men above the age of 55 have for many months been withheld; and, if so, whether he can state the reason for such suspension, and when it is intended to resume their payment?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThere has been no suspension in the payments of any Greenwich Hospital age-pensions which have been awarded; but no new pensions have been yet given away since the 1st of January last. It was necessary to reduce the numbers in consequence of the rapid increase which has occurred in the annual charge for these pensions—namely, from £46,509 in 1866–7, to £78,231 in 1878–9. Any vacancies which now exist in the number of 7,500 will be immediately filled up. An Order in Council has now been obtained to limit the total number of pensions to be in force at any one time to 7,500—the original number contemplated in 1865 having been 5,000—and the combined amount to be received in Greenwich and other pensions to 2s. 6d. a-day.