MR. FEASER MACKINTOSH (Inverness-shire)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether Colour Sergeant Mackie, who was manager of the grocer's shop in Fort George (in the county of Inverness) in 1883, still draws his pension; if, in an action raised by Mackie in the Sheriff Court of Inverness-shire, against Major Hilton, the President of the Canteen Committee at Fort George, the Sheriff Substitute found that Mackie had misapplied or was short of the sum of £23 16s. 6d.; has Mackie refunded this money; and, if not, has he, under the Regulations, a just claim to any pension; and, what representations, if any, has Mackie made to the War Office Authorities on the subject?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (Mr. BRODRICK) (Surrey, Guildford)(who replied) said, pensioner Mackie still draws his pension. Mackie was found to have a balance against him in his canteen accounts. The War Office is not aware whether this money has been refunded, as it is not a case in which it would intervene, the debt not being a public or regimental debt, chargeable against the pensioner before his discharge from the Army. The only representation received from the pensioner 477 has been with reference to an application to assign his pension as security for his trial. This was refused, pensions not being assignable under any circumstances.