§ MR. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has inquired into the case of the pension of Mr. Sawyer; and if he can now state the result of his inquiries?
§ MR. GOSCHENMr. Sawyer retired from the post of Assistant Inspector of Mines in consequence of a defect of eyesight. The medical certificate upon which a pension was granted to him was signed by the distinguished oculist Dr. Critchett. It stated that this defect was likely to be permanent, that in consequence of the defect Mr. Sawyer was, in uncertain lights, unable to appreciate distances clearly, and that he would therefore be liable to meet with accidents in the discharge of his duties as Assistant Inspector of Mines. It is evident that a defect which rendered him unable to discharge the duties of the post which he held would not necessarily incapacitate him for doing work of an entirely different character.