§ 24. Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the answer given on 13th November last on the question of reopening commutation of pensions, whether he is aware that the only Army officers now allowed to commute are captains and lieutenants over fifty and higher ranks over fifty-five years of age, or officers of any age who hold wounds pensions or are incapable of further military service; and, inasmuch as capital sums are now urgently required by officers with which to start in business, whether he can see his way, as the controlling authority under Section 7 of the Pensions Commutation Act, 1871, to reopen the system, under pre-war conditions, of commutation of pensions to all officers in the Army and Navy over the age of forty who hold commutable pensions without waiting until peace is officially signed?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay I ask, Sir, if it is in order for an hon. Member to refer in a question to a specific answer given to another question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe generally strike out references to former answers, but this refers to a question of last Session.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKI think it has very often happened.
Captain GUESTIt has been decided to reopen the commutation of pensions for officers of the Army under conditions which will be published shortly.