§ * MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Army Council has reached a decision upon the Report of the Paymaster-General's Committee appointed more than six months ago to consider whether benefit would result from the payment of military pensions in smaller sums and at more frequent intervals than is now the practice; what, if any, is their decision; and why has it not been communicated to the House.
§ MR. HALDANEThe Report has been considered. It has not been held to be desirable to adopt all of its recommendations. Arrangements have been made for: (a) the payment monthly of all pensioners who desire to be so paid, or where it is clearly shown that, owing to their thriftless or drunken habits, such payment would be advisable (b) the payment weekly of pensioners in cases where they become chargeable to the guardians and the latter recommend and are willing to undertake the issue in that way; (c) the payment weekly of pensioners by responsible persons who are willing to receive the pension 1556 quarterly and dole it out weekly to the pensioner.
§ * MR. BYLESI am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, but may I ask why we were not told this some time ago?
§ MR. HALDANEWe have only just been able to come to a final conclusion.
§ MR. LEA (St. Pancras, E.)Are we to understand that this applies equally to Army Reservists?
§ MR. HALDANEI have spoken only of pensioners, but there is no difference in principle between the two.