§ SIR EDWARD REEDasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true that the award of pensions to soldiers is wholly in the hands of the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital; if so, whether they have any option or discretion in making their awards; and, whether they are under any direct responsibility to Parliament in the performance of that duty?
§ MR. CHILDERSIn reply to my hon. Friend, I have to state that by the Act 7 Geo. IV. c. 16, all pensions to disabled, invalid, and discharged soldiers are settled and managed by the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital, who decide each case under the provisions of Royal Warrants, subject only to the vote of 1266 Parliament being sufficient. The Secretary of State has no power to override or alter a decision of the Commissioners, who, I believe, also claim to interpret the Warrants affecting pensions, although this claim as against the Secretary of State may be doubtful. Whether they are directly responsible to Parliament is a question on which I would rather not express an opinion at this moment; but the propriety of asking Parliament to alter this anomalous system is one of the questions referred to the Committee on Chelsea Hospital, and other institutions presided over by Lord Morley.