§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to 560 the fact that deferred pensions have been granted to soldiers who have served in campaigns prior to the year 1860, but who had left the service on the expiration of their limit or time of service, which did not entitle them to any pension on discharge, the Secretary of State for War will consider the propriety of recommending the grant of deferred pensions on a similar scale to soldiers who have served in India during a portion of the Indian Mutiny and in action during the War of 1860, but who were precluded from seeing active service before the enemy by being detained on garrison duty; and whether, having regard to the fact that the number of these veterans is comparatively very small, and that in many cases their health has been impaired by service in the army at foreign stations, the circumstance of their not holding medals must be regarded as an absolute bar to, their obtaining the deferred pensions granted to others in practically analogous circumstances?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.By the term "deferred pensions" the hon. Member appears to mean special campaign pensions which are being awarded to men who possess a medal for a campaign prior to 1860, and who have a total army service of ten years. The condition as to the medal must be maintained. The medal has been awarded to every man entitled to receive it.