§ Mr. Nunnasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make regarding the pensions of British subjects who have retired from the service of the Siamese Government and are not now in enemy territory?
§ Sir K. WoodThe question of pensions of British subjects who have retired from the service of the Siamese Government is one which I have considered on a number of occasions. Hitherto I have felt unable to differentiate between these pensioners and others who have lost their means of livelihood as a result of hostilities in the Far East and these in their turn from persons similarly affected in this country. It has, however, been represented to me that these pensioners stand in a rather special position inasmuch as many of2286W them gave up other employment to take up service with the Siamese Government as a result of advice or encouragement given them by His Majesty's Government, and I have come to the conclusion that this argument is sufficiently strong to warrant granting these pensioners special treatment. I have accordingly agreed that advances may be made from the Exchequer in respect of these pensions for the war period to British subjects not in enemy territory within a limit of £40 per month for any individual. The advances will date from the time of cessation of payment of pension by the Siamese Government and will be recoverable in so far as the pensioners receive after the war payments in respect of the pensions due during the war period.
I have, at the same time, considered the position of British pensioners of the Shanghai Municipal Council and similar municipal bodies in China. Although their position is not quite the same as that of the pensioners of the Siamese Government, I do not think there are adequate grounds for discrimination. I have accordingly agreed that these pensioners may receive advances from the Exchequer on the same terms. These advances likewise will be recoverable in so far as the pensioners after the war receive payment of pensions due during the war period.