§ 26. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for War whether men who had earned their pensions by twenty-one years' service with the Colours and who rejoined in response to the call for experienced non-commissioned officers at the outbreak of war, and who may have since been wounded or incapacitated, are to have their previously earned pensions forfeited and to be allowed only the same pension as men without previous service or experience; and, if so, will he rectify this grievance by granting to such old wounded or incapacitated soldiers a disability pension for this War in addition to and supplementary to their pensions already earned?
§ Mr. FORSTERI can only refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave him on the 18th July. I may add, however, that I have the matter under consideration.
§ Colonel YATEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider that nothing so distresses these old soldiers as any forfeiture or attempted forfeiture of the pension, and to state once and for all that once granted the pension is a sacred thing not to be touched again?