§ Mr. BARNESasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the number of Peers, Members of the House of Lords, at present receiving public moneys for public services; and the number receiving public pensions or annuities?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)I regret that I am not able to give figures showing exactly the present position, but the following figures, which relate to the financial year 1908–9, are still approximately correct: The total number of Members of the House of Lords who were then in receipt of public moneys for public services (including those who had retired from the Army with a gratuity) was 102. Of these thirty were in receipt of salaries for active service: the remainder were recipients of pensions, annuities, or other non-effective grants.
§ Mr. WILLIAM PEELHow many of these Peers received pensions before they became Members of the House of Lords?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIf the hon. Member will put a question to me I will answer it.
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONDoes this include Territorial officers?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEYes; it includes all officers.
§ Mr. BARNESDoes it include Ministers of the Crown—those who have received lump sums—or those who benefit as the result of pensions being commuted?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt certainly includes all Members of the House of Lords who, as Ministers of the Crown, are in receipt of salaries, and I think it includes the others.
§ Mr. MARKHAMDoes it include the Law Lords?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEYes.