§ MR. JEFFREYS (Hants, Basingstoke)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether W. D. Warder Jessett was informed, on December 10th, 1891, at Aldershot, by the Commanding Royal Engineer, that he should then take the pension he had earned and cease from active employment; whether he is aware that, in consequence of this communication, Warder Jessett did resign on June 7th, 1892, but the War Office has refused to grant him the pension; whether he is aware that Warder Jessett enlisted in the Royal Sappers in 1847, served during the Crimean War, Indian Mutiny, and other campaigns, receiving medals for his services; and whether the War Office will grant Warder Jessett the pension to which the Commanding 322 Royal Engineer said he was entitled, and on the faith of which he resigned?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANWarder Jessett was required to give up his appointment on account of age. His military service was not sufficient to give him a pension, and the civil appointment he subsequently held was not one which carried superannuation. The Commanding Royal Engineer only required Warder Jessett to retire on whatever pension he had earned. It turned out that he had earned no more than a compassionate allowance, which has been paid to him. I will, however, give the case further consideration, and I should be very glad if I found that anything could be done for him, although I cannot say I am hopeful.