§ MR. BOTTOMLEY (Hackney, S.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the approximate annual sum at present paid out of public funds for pensions and annuities in respect of the Navy, Army, and Civil Services, including the Judiciary.
MR, McKENNAThe provision for pension and retirement gratuities, either voted or charged on the Consolidated Fund, was for the year 1905–6, in round figures.
| £ | ||
| (i) | Navy | 2,423,000 |
| (ii) | Army | 3,531,000 |
| (iii) | Civil Service (including Judiciary). | 1,720,000 |
| Total | 7,674,000 |
§ This does not include the sums voted for pensions for the Dublin metropolitan police and for the Royal Irish constabulary. These were £32,000 and £379,000 respectively.
§ MR. BOTTOMLEYHaving regard to the fact that a sum approximating to £10,000.000 per annum is now paid out of public funds in respect of pensions to officials who have had good salaries, will 449 the Government consider the possibility of providing old-age pensions for the aged and deserving poor?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)Do the Army pensions include those to the rank and file, or does the amount given refer only to officers' pensions?
§ MR. MCKENNAIt includes all pensions.