§ MR. BRODRICK (Surrey, Guildford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers eligible for special pensions for campaigns before 1860, having been found to comply with the conditions as to service, character, and want of means, laid down by the War Office, have not yet been awarded pensions; and whether he can hold out any hopes that pensions will be given to these men?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANOur knowledge only extends to the men who have actually applied for these special pensions. Of these there are at present, in addition to the 580 already pensioned, about 1,000 who comply with the conditions laid down by my predecessor and the Treasury. Probably only one-eighth of those will be awarded pensions during the next financial year, unless the provision made on the subject while my hon. Friend was Financial Secretary is extended.
§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)May I ask if any definite date has been fixed before which application must be sent for these pensions?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI am not aware.
§ MR. BRODRICKIs there any intention of making a proposal to extend the provision for these pensions?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI will inform my hon. Friend on that subject at the proper time.