§ 37. Mr. Hewlettasked the Secretary of State for War what is the average amount of Service Pensions awarded to ex-soldiers of the South African War, 1899–1901, and the corresponding pensions awarded to-day?
Sir J. GriģģThe conditions governing the issue of pensions have been entirely changed since the South African War, and no comparison can usefully be made. The majority of Service pensioners who saw service in the South African War did not become pensionable under the regulations in force at the time of that war. They are therefore drawing considerably higher pensions than would have been awarded under the regulations current at that time, and many of them are drawing pensions comparable in value to those given under current regulations.