91. Lieut.-Colonel THORNEasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that a number of retired Post Office pensioners are at the present time suffering because all pensioners who retired from their ser vices before 1st March, 1915, have had no increase in their pensions; whether he will consider the possibility of such men being placed on the same footing as the retired Post Office pensioners who retired since 1st March, 1915; and if he will take action in the matter]
§ Mr. BALDWINAs I have previously explained, the principle of the arrangement agreed to in April last is that, within certain limits, war bonus shall reckon for pension, and I am not prepared to extend it to pensioners who were not in receipt of war bonus at the time of their retirement.