HC Deb 10 March 1931 vol 249 cc1146-7

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a sum, not exceeding £4,517,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Expense of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, and Kilmainham Hospital; of Out-Pensions, Rewards for Distinguished Service, Widows' Pensions, and other Non-Effective Charges for Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Men, etc., which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1932.

Major GLYN

Can the Secretary of State for War say exactly what is the position of pensioners in Ireland under the present regulations. I know what the regulations used to be, but I am not sure what is the position of the men who served in the Irish regiments now disbanded who are being maintained at the present time at the Royal Hospital. What are the regulations which will come into force when the last of the pensioners there finish their time? Will the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, be turned over to the Free State Army?

Mr. SHAW

The position is, I think, that there has been no alteration at all, and no matter where a man lives in the British Isles he gets the same rate of pension.

Major GLYN

It is not a question of pension, but a question of the use of the Royal Hospital in Ireland. When the last pensioners resident there who were in the British Army have all gone, will the hospital be handed over to the Free State Army, and, if so, will it cease to be a charge upon this House?

Mr. SHAW

I cannot answer off-hand a hypothetical case of that kind. I think that that is a matter which must be dealt with when it arises.