§ MR. BOWERMAN (Deptford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on 1st January last, the time of the quarterly payment of Metropolitan Police pensioners was fixed to begin at 2.30 p.m., instead of 11 a.m., as formerly; that consequently the congestion was so great that men of very advanced years were compelled to stand about for hours, exposed to a biting north-easterly wind, before being able to enter the pension office at New Scotland Yard; and whether, inasmuch as it is impossible to pay such a large number of men in one afternoon without overcrowding and delay, thus inflicting unnecessary inconvenience, and even hardship, upon old servants of the public, he will give instructions for the time of payment to again begin at 11 a.m., on 1st April next, and on subsequent quarterly pay-days.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI am afraid that the suggested alteration in the hours of payment cannot be made, as there ate other pensioners to be paid in the morning; but steps will in future be taken to direct the pensioners to the waiting-room accommodation which is available for them at the Cannon Row Police Station. I may perhaps point out that the personal attendance of pensioners at New Scotland Yard is unnecessary, as a system is in force under which pensioners can be paid by means of post office orders.