§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that from 1870 to 1892 the Seamen Pensioners' Reserve was paid out of Greenwich Hospital funds; whether he can state the total sum thus allocated to the Seamen Pensioners' Reserve; and whether, in view of the fact that so large a number of men of sixty years of age and upwards, many of whom are in necessitous circumstances, are eligible for a Greenwich Hospital pension 832 but are unable to obtain one owing to lack of funds, he will consider the advisability of placing a sum on the Navy Estimates, to be used for the purpose of defraying Greenwich Hospital pensions, equal to the amount taken out of that fund from 1870 to 1892 and applied to the Seamen Pensioners' Reserve?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am aware that between the dates stated the age pensions granted to members of the Seaman Pensioner Reserve were awarded from Greenwich Hospital funds. The sum thus charged to those funds was approximately £30,000. Since 1894 inclusive, however, a substantial Grant has been made annually from naval funds towards the cost of Greenwich Hospital pensions, and I am not prepared to recommend any further contribution.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there must be something like a thousand men over sixty years who are suffering from physical infirmities and necessitous circumstances, and who have served their country under promise of pensions?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf the hon. Member will put down a question as to the particulars I shall be happy to answer him.