§ SIR G. KEKEWICH (Exeter)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether Army pensioners can be allowed to commute a portion of their pensions at forty-five years of age instead of fifty as at present, seeing that men and noncommissioned officers are not infrequently compelled to retire from the service shortly after completing forty years of age, and that the commutation of their pensions would enable them to make a new start in life in some trade or business.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) HaddingtonThe Army Council are considering the desirability of allowing Army pensioners, in 61 receipt of more than 1s. a day, to commute the excess over 1s. at an earlier age than fifty.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEWill provision be made for this concession in the forthcoming Estimates?
§ MR. HALDANEThe matter, as I have said, is still under consideration.