§ MR. CLAUDE HAYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the decision of the Government, under the Superannuation Act, 1859, in respect of ex-sailors and ex-soldiers, was arrived at without ascertaining the number of men affected by such decision; and whether the Government are satisfied that these men have been adequately recompensed for their services, having regard to the pay and conditions of other servants of His Majesty, whose remuneration and conditions of service have been reconsidered and improved since 1859.
§ *MR. J. A. PEASEThe Answer to both parts of the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYWhat is the objection to giving any figures to the House?
§ *MR. J. A. PEASEsaid the collection of information with regard to numbers was not only very troublesome, but somewhat expensive, and the information was not of sufficient advantage to justify the trouble and the expense.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYIs the House to understand that the question whether the number is large or small is a matter of indifference to the Government?
§ *MR. J. A. PEASEsaid it was a question not of number, but of principle.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYWhat is the principle involved?
§ [No Answer was returned.]