§ MR. M. J. KENNY (Tyrone, Mid)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is a Rule in Her Majesty's Service that a soldier who has served 21 years, or is discharged as invalided a year or two before that time in consequence of ill-health brought on by long foreign service, is entitled to the full pension of 11d. per day, and 2d. per day extra if invalided after nine years' service in India; whether Peter MacNee, late of the 21st Scottish Rifles, is so entitled to a pension of 1s. 1d. per day, having served altogether 19 years and eight months, over 18 years of which he served in India, and been discharged as invalided in consequence of general debility caused by foreign service; whether, instead of being granted the full pension of 1s. 1d. per day, to which he was entitled, he was granted on discharge only 1s. per day from the 3rd of August, 1887, and whether this was amended and reduced on the 23rd of November following to 11d. per day; and, whether the War Office Authorities will reconsider the case of this old soldier, who has a good conduct badge, and as so 1478 long served Her Majesty, and, but for ill health, would have completed his full term?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WAR DEPARTMENT (Mr. BRODRICK) (Surrey, Guildford)(who replied) said: Peter MacNee was discharged after 19 years' qualifying service, which only entitles him to a pension of 11d. a-day under the present Regulations. By the Regulations under which he enlisted his pension would have been smaller. There is no provision in the Royal Warrant for giving 2d. a-day extra for invaliding after nine years' service in India. I may add that the granting of pensions within the limits of the Royal Warrant rests entirely with the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital.