HC Deb 04 March 1897 vol 46 cc1589-90
CAPTAIN DONELAN

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that when pensioners are admitted as inmates of Chelsea Hospital they forfeit their pensions and are only granted an allowance of 2d. a day, whether steps will be taken to revise this rule, with a view to more generous treatment of old soldiers whose lives have been worn out in the service of their country?

*MR. BRODRICK

The money payment to in-pensioners of Chelsea Hospital has recently been doubled, and, in the interest of the men, it is not considered desirable to make it greater than at present. The evidence taken by a recent Committee, over which Lord Belper presided, shows that there is an increasing desire on the part of pensioners to obtain admittance to the Hospital; and it is beyond question that the advantages of the men in the Hospital are in excess of those enjoyed by similar pensioners outside.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that some of the tombstones in the old grave-yard of Chelsea Hospital are in a very dilapidated condition; and whether it is intended to put them in repair, or to utilise this disused burial-ground for the benefit of the public?

*MR. BRODRICK

It is in contemplation to repair some of the dilapidated tombstones this spring, when all chance of frost is passed.