§ Sir WALTER NUGENTasked the Secretary of State for War if he can state on what grounds Patrick Dockery, formerly a private in the 2nd Coldstream Guards, who was discharged from the Service on the 24th March, 1905, being then found unfit for service owing to an injury received in the discharge of his duty, has been deprived of his pension; and whether, in view of the fact that Dockery is injured for life, he will recommend that a permanent pension be awarded to him?
§ Mr. HALDANEThis case has been considered several times by the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital, who are of opinion that the man has recovered from his disability, and that his wage-earning capacity is not impaired.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that soldiers of certain ranks in the Artillery, Engineers, Army Medical Corps, Army Service Corps, and Army Ordnance, who have completed twelve years' service, and who are eligible for, and desirous of, re-engaging to complete twenty-one years' service, so as to qualify for a pension, can only re-engage upon terms that they lose 7d. a day during the extended service; and whether, in view of the desirability of retaining the services of such experienced soldiers and in fairness to them, he will consider the possibility of permitting their re-engagement on the footing of their receiving an equivalent for service pay on the scale in force before 1st October, 1906?
§ Mr. HALDANEAs regards the arms mentioned, other than the Artillery, the facts are as stated in the question. These men have been allowed to continue in the receipt of Service pay for the full period for which they originally enlisted, but 713W there is no right to re-engage; and if they are permitted to enter on a fresh period of service they can do so only on the terms now current in the arm to which they belong.