§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state how many Army pensioners are at present in the workhouses of the United Kingdom; how many have applied for an increase of pension to enable them to live outside these institutions; and what would be the probable cost to the State if such increases were granted.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary. Haldane.) The number of pensioners who became chargeable to the guardians during the year ending March 3lst, 1906, was about 1,500, The number at present in workhouses is not known at the War Office. No record is kept of the number of applications for increase of pension from pensioners in workhouses, nor is it possible to make any estimate, of the cost of awarding to such pensioners sufficient increase of pension to enable them to live outside.