§ 1. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will be in a position to make a statement into his investigations about the Nelson annuity.
§ 2. Sir F. Medlicottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now able to make a statement with regard to the Nelson annuity, and if he will in particular make known what official proposals have in the past been made to the Nelson 1206 family for the commuting of this pension in return for a lump sum.
§ 18. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a further statement on the Nelson annuity.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Harold Macmillan)I have now considered this matter, but I have decided that we cannot contemplate further legislation. The question of commutation in return for a lump sum was discussed with the Nelson family in 1889 and 1904. On the first occasion commutation for 27 years purchase was offered, but this offer was not accepted by the Nelson family; on the second it was considered that a similar proposal would have been too unfavourable to the Exchequer. and the matter was dropped.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-DavenportIs my right hon. Friend aware that today is Waterloo Day and that the heirs of the Duke of Wellington got full compensation? Why should the heirs of Lord Nelson have £5,000 a year stolen from them and get no compensation whatever? Why should they be singled out for this dishonest treatment, and would my right hon. Friend consider making a more favourable statement before Trafalgar Day in October?
§ Mr. MacmillanThe views held on this side of the House on that matter are well known, but I do not think it is possible now to go back. I think it was a very rough affair. On the other hand, one must take into account that at the time the annuity was terminated permission was given for the sale of the Trafalgar estates, which could not be sold before, and that was some compensating advantage to the family concerned.
§ Mr. JayIs not the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport) as usual, in error, and was not yesterday Waterloo Day?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-DavenportI did not hear what was said by the right hon. Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) but whatever it was, I am sure it was not worth listening to.
§ Sir F. MedlicottWould my right hon. Friend say whether any further discussions took place with the Nelson family before the pension was actually terminated?
§ Mr. MacmillanNot under this Administration.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government of the day did a great injustice by flouting the express wish of Lord Nelson that provision should be made for Lady Hamilton and their daughter, and that in the circumstances the right hon. Gentleman is doing the right thing by turning a blind eye on the efforts of the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport)?
§ Mr. MacmillanThat is another question.