§ SIR R. REID (Dumfries Burghs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is able to recommend any increase of the pension of 8½d. a day now received by Joseph Black, who served continuously from. 1855 to 1871, and again from 1873 to 1894, in the last 15 years as colour-sergeant; and whether he will ascertain if it is true, as alleged by Joseph Black, that he served on the promise that the whole of his service should be computed for pension on discharge?
MR. J. POWELL WILLIAMSJoseph Black was discharged from the 11th Hussars in 1870 on the termination of his limited engagement for 12 years. This short service, as he was well aware, did not entitle him to an army pension. About two and a half years afterwards he joined the permanent staff of the Scottish Borderers Militia, and served for 21 years from 1873 to 1894, when he claimed his discharge, and was granted a pension of 8½d. a day, being the amount prescribed by the Pay Warrant for this militia service. He has received the pension to which he was entitled under regulations which apply to his service, and no one had any power to make any such promise as that referred to or to set them aside.