§ MR. KEARLEY () DevonportI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Department what pensions or retiring allowances have been or are being paid by the Royal Patriotic Commissioners to persons employed by the Commission. What are the details of those at present in enjoyment and the amount of capital fictuarially reserved to secure their payment. Whether he is aware that Clause 5 of the Patriotic Act, 1881, expressly forbids the granting of any pension or retiring allowance without the approval of the Treasury. That the Commissioners have guaranteed, notwithstanding, a pension to the present secretary upon retirement. Whether such undertaking has received Treasury assent. And whether the Government will undertake to see that no further misapplication of the funds in such direction be permitted.
*MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSSuperannuation allowances have been granted from time to time to officers and clerks of the office, with Treasury consent, in accordance with the requirements of the Patriotic Fund Act. The amounts now outstanding are £235 8s. 8d. a year, for which £1,550 has been set aside by the actuary from the capital. Subject to the approval of the Treasury, the present secretary will on retirement be granted a pension in accordance with the Act already mentioned.