§ SIR ELLIOT LEES (Birkenhead)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office have declined to grant a pension to the mother of a lieutenant on probation, killed in action near Wolmaranstad, on 26th February, 1902, on the ground that he was not actually commissioned as an officer at the time he was killed. And whether he will direct that this decision be reconsidered in order that the relatives of those killed in action, whilst bearing officers' rank and performing officers' duties, shall receive the ordinary pensions due to relatives of officers killed in action.
(Answer.) it is not possible to make the concession referred to, as service on probation does not necessarily carry with it a guarantee that a commission will be granted. If, however, promotion is given after death, with an antedate determined upon before death, a pension is given, subject to the qualifications of the beneficiary being otherwise in order.—(War Office.)