§ MR. A. K. LOYD (Berks, Abingdon)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a pamphlet recently published by the master of the Faringdon Workhouse, in which he describes certain grave abuses under the head of tramping pensioners and short service men; and whether, having regard to the serious increase of vagrancy throughout the country, and to the fact that in the counties of Berks, Bucks, Oxon, and Warwick, it is shown, at pp. 26 and 27 of the Local Government Board Report, 1894–5, to have increased 256 per cent. in the 10 years, 1883–94, 597 he will consult the proper military authority as to the possibility of protecting discharged soldiers and pensioners from the temptations to which they are exposed on leaving the Army under the present system of deferred pay and the quarterly payment of pensions.
§ MR. CHAPLINI had not seen the pamphlet referred to prior to the notice given by my hon. Friend of his Question. I will bring under the attention of the Secretary of State for War the statements which it contains with regard to the relief, as vagrants, of discharged soldiers and pensioners.