§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether an old soldier who had a total service of forty-one years in the Imperial forces, and who, over a period of twenty years, had spent two years of his time in the Colonies, would be disqualified from claiming an old-age pension because of the two years absence from this country to which he had long since returned.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd - George.) The decision would, under Article 29 of the Old-Age Pensions Regulations, depend upon the question whether the claimant's home was in the United Kingdom during the two years in which he was absent therefrom, not being in the service of the Crown. This is a question of fact to be determined by the Pension Committee, subject to appeal to the Local Government Board.