MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Army pensioners can under any circumstances, and, if so, what, commute their pensions; and whether the Government will consider the desirability of providing that all Army pensioners may commute their pensions when they desire to do so, either for the purpose of investing the sum in the purchase of a house to avoid the cost of rent, a business in which to train and support their families, or to otherwise invest the amount for the benefit of their children after death?
The HON. MEMBERalso asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether the Government will consider the desirability of allowing Army pensioners in Great Britain and Ireland to commute their pensions where they might desire to do so; and whether Army pensioners arc under any circumstances allowed to commute their pensions?
§ MR. BRODRICKA pensioner in good health', between the ages of 50 and 80 years, is allowed to commute his pension for the purpose of residing in a colony or abroad if he can show, to the Secretary of State's satisfaction, that commutation will be a distinct and permanent advantage to him. It is not considered desirable to allow pensioners residing in the United Kingdom to commute their pensions, nor is it in their own interests desirable for pensioners to commute their pensions except in very special cases.