§ 7. Mr. PERKINSasked the right hon. Gentleman, as representing the Commissioner of Woods and Forests, whether servants of the Crown employed in the New Forest are entitled to a pension after long service; and, if so, whether he will explain why John Thorn, who was in the service of the Crown for twenty-four years as a labourer and seventeen years as a keeper, has been granted a pension of only 4s. a week?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISA servant of the Crown employed in the New Forest, who has discharged his duties satisfactorily, is given a compassionate allowance after long service, provided he has either attained the age of sixty, or it is shown by medical certificate to the satisfaction of the Treasury that he is incapable from infirmity of mind or body of discharging the duties of his situation, and that such infirmity is likely to be permanent. John Thorn, who had been employed first as a labourer in the New Forest, and then as an under-keeper for the periods mentioned in the question, gave up his situation by notice in the year 1903, being then in his fifty-fifth year, and applied to be given a compassionate allowance. In support of his application he furnished a medical certificate, in which his doctor stated that he had attended John Thorn for bronchitis, and was then attending him for indigestion, and that he was weak and quite unable to do his work. It appeared to the Commissioners of Woods, after inquiry, that there was a reasonable likelihood that John Thorn might soon be able to do ordinary work. However, in view of his long service, they recommended the Treasury to grant him a compassionate allowance of 4s. a week, which was 1s. a week less than the maximum allowance according to the regulations then in force, and the Treasury did so. The Commissioners are informed that he has worked for other employers with some regularity since he retired from the Crown service.
§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTWill the right hon. Gentleman state what the term "compassionate" means? Does it mean that servants in the New Forest are not regularly entitled to a pension after long service?