§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, if he can state the reasons which influenced the Paymaster General to stop the pension awarded to John Fitzpatrick, of Fartherin, Ballyconnell, county Cavan, and whether such action was in accordance with the regulations?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.The pension of John Fitzpatrick, amounting to 6s. 5d. per week, was suspended by the 1281 Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital during his imprisonment for contempt of Court, in not having paid a debt of 16s. 9d. on which judgment had been; obtained against him two months previously. The Commissioners held that as he was able to pay the debt and had refused to do so, although ample time had been allowed, and that as his imprisonment involved his maintenance at the expense of the State, the case was one in which it was right for them to exercise the powers of temporary forfeiture conferred on them by Her Majesty's Warrant.