MR. P. O'BRIEN, on behalf of Dr. COMMINS (Roscommon, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is true that George Buckley, late 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery, who is in receipt of a pension of 1s. 2d. a day, is at present an inmate of Richmond Lunatic Asylum; whether he is aware that Buckley's wife, a native of England, is in receipt of out-door relief from the ratepayers of Roscommon Union, and that, in reply, to a recent application, the Guardians were informed, in a communication from the War Office, that, after deducting the amount contributed by Parliament towards the maintenance of the lunatic, and the claims made by the Governors of the asylum for the additional cost of maintenance, only a balance of 2s. 7d. remained towards meeting the maintenance of Mrs. Buckley for the last three months; why has a different principle been adopted regarding the quarter ending 31st March, 1890, when a sum of only 2s. 7d. was available for Mrs. Buckley, and the quarter ending 31st December, 1889, when one-half the pension was remitted to the Guardians; and whether he will make some arrangement under which a portion of Buckley's pension may go towards relieving the ratepayers of Roscommon from the cost of maintaining his wife?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE, Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The facts are as stated; and are the result of the Superannuation Act of 1887. I have already stated that the effect of that Act in this matter came upon me as a surprise; and I am 500 pledged to consider with the Treasury whether any remedy can be brought about by legislation next Session.