§ MR. STEWART MACLIVERasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the same consideration cannot be shown to the workmen employed at the Plymouth Breakwater (eight in number, with services ranging from 20 to 42 years) as was shown in 1880 and 1881 to others in the same position, who were then granted pensions, especially since the Admiralty did not dispute the claim to pension of these eight men until December 1883?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo, Sir; I regret to say that we have no power under the general Rules, which apply not only to the Admiralty but to all other Departments of the Public Service, to grant pensions to the men alluded to by my hon. Friend. The pensions awarded in 1880 and 1881 were given in error, and constitute no precedent for departing from the well-understood rule of the Service.