§ MR. MORRELL (Oxfordshire, Henley)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Henry Drake, formerly engineman in the barracks at Oxford, who, after serving the War Department for more than twenty-nine years, during which time he worked the machinery every day, Sundays included, without absence from duty for a single day through sickness or any other cause, was recently discharged both from his home and his employment with less than two weeks previous notice, and with no reason assigned; whether by the rules of the service such a man is entitled to any pension or superannuation, or only to consideration for a gratuity; and, whether, in view of this man's length of service and consistent good conduct as testified by five commanding officers under whom he served, and of the hardship he has suffered through the suddenness of his discharge, the question of giving him some adequate compensation by way of gratuity or otherwise will be considered.
§ MR. HALDANEMr. Drake was employed as engineman at Cowley Barracks, Oxford, from the 9th January 1877 to the 13th instant. An engine-man's services being no longer required, Mr. Drake was given a fortnight's notice of discontinuance in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Regulations for Civilian Subordinates. He bas been awarded a gratuity of £53 13s. 0d.