§ 78 and 79. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether, in view of the general rise in wages and salaries and the consequent increase in the cost of living, steps have been taken proportionately to raise the pensions of Regular officers of the old Army on compulsory retirement under the age clause of the Royal Warrant; (2) whether, in view of the large number of Regular officers of the old Army who are being retired compulsorily for age now that peace is in sight, he will assure the House that immediate steps will be taken to bring the pensions of these officers to the equivalent value, at least, of the year in which they were originally sanctioned?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe whole subject of pensions is being most carefully considered.
§ General CROFTIn considering this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the rate of pensions is practically the same to-day as it was at the time of the Battle of Waterloo?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am afraid I cannot go into that.