Major BARINGasked whether the Army Council approve of the recommendation of Sir Edward Ward's committee on the employment of old soldiers that Army service should count towards civil pension; whether any attempt has been made to 889 induce the Treasury to provide the necessary funds; and, if not, whether he will attempt to do so at an early date?
§ Colonel SEELYThe Army Council are in full sympathy with any recommendation such as that alluded to by the hon. and gallant Member, which will better the condition of the old soldier, but they recognise the force of the objections to this concession, and they regret that they are not in a position to overcome them.
§ Colonel SEELYYou would have to reopen a great many questions to inquire into it. There was a Committee on the question, to the report of which I will refer the hon. Gentleman. It is a very difficult question, and it would raise very wide issues if we were to consider it now.
§ Colonel SEELYThat is the one to which I referred.
§ Colonel SEELYI shall be glad to give the hon. Gentleman a precis of the objections raised by the responsible authorities concerned to the suggestions therein made.