§ COLONEL ALEXANDERasked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to paragraph I. of Article 1008, of the Royal Warrant of 1882, for Pay and Promotion, If he can state what is the amount of income which would preclude the widows of officers of each rank from receiving pensions?
§ SIR ARTHUR HAYTERSir, as this is a question of finance, perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Ayrshire will permit me to reply for the Secretary of State. The definition of "wealthy circumstances" in Sub-section 1,008 of the Pay Warrant, which relates to the pensions for widows of deceased officers, is governed by "a scale of means," which has been drawn up to insure uniformity in the practice of the War Office in awarding such pensions. The actual amount of income which would preclude the widow of an officer in any rank from receiving a pension has always, I think, been regarded as confidential, for reasons which my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate. The rules governing the amount of income to which I alluded may be varied at any time; and their application is strictly within the discretion of the Se- 1743 cretary of State. It is not, therefore, in my power, nor do I think it would be desirable, to publish them.