§ *SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, if he can state what number of compassionate pensions to soldiers who served in the Crimean and Indian Mutiny campaigns have been granted since he made his statement on the Army Estimates; and whether all the applications from men of 65 years of age and upwards have now been dealt with by the Chelsea Hospital Commissioners.
§ *THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. W. WOODALL,) HanleySince March 15, when the Army Estimates were introduced in this House, 118 special campaign pensions have been granted, and 119 are in various stages of consideration. All the qualified claimants over 65 years of age at home have been dealt with or are among those mentioned as under consideration; but new claims are constantly received, and the claims from men in the colonies are only taken up as they are renewed.
§ *SIR JOHN LENGsaid that he presumed that these cases included those of the old soldiers who were incapacitated from work by ill health.
§ MR. R. W. HANBURY (Preston)asked whether the rule that men must be in a state of destitution before they could receive assistance was still enforced.
§ *MR. WOODALLsaid, that the rule was interpreted very generously.
§ MR. HANBURYasked how far this rule, which really discouraged thrift, had 1310 been abolished. What in fact was the present rule?
§ *MR. WOODALLsaid, that he hoped the hon. Member would not press the question, as he thought it inadvisable that a public answer should be given.
§ MR. HANBURYsaid that he must put the question on the Paper.
§ *MR. WOODALLVery well; I will ask the hon. Member to put it down.