§ 12. Sir CHARLES NICHOLSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War the-number of widows of soldiers who have died in connection with the Transvaal War who are in receipt of pensions?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Sir A. Griffith-Boscawen)The number of these widows is, approximately, 1,300.
§ 13. Sir C. NICHOLSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Mercy Elizabeth Baker, widow of Company Sergeant-Major Alfred John, Baker, No. 180, late 2nd Royal Warwickshire Regiment; and whether she can be granted a pension, in view of the fact that her husband who had served in the South African War and earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal, joined the Remount Depot at Pluckley on the outbreak of the present War, and was among the first to volunteer for France, but at the urgent request of the commandant remained at the depot, and was killed by a fall from his horse as he was returning from leave to duty?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)Alfred Baker was employed at the Remount Depot in a civilian capacity, and there is, therefore, no power to grant his wife the pension of a soldier's widow. I am inquiring further in to the circumstances of the case in order to see whether any award can be made under the Workmen's Compensation Act.