§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that ex-soldiers who joined for the South African War and had served 14 years or more were entitled to pension; whether, in the case of ex-soldiers who joined for the late War, service pension is only payable after 21 years' service, or after 14 years' service in cases where a disability pension has been awarded; and, if so, whether he will reconsider this matter and place the men who rejoined for the late War on the same footing as those who rejoined for the South African War?
§ Lieut.-Colonel JACKSONDuring the South African War, in order to complete an increase in the permanent establishment of certain specified branches of the Army, a limited number of ex-soldiers were invited to re-enlist and in due course to qualify for pension on special terms. No similar measures were taken during the late War, and the answer to the last part of the question is therefore in the negative. The normal conditions of entitlement to service pension after 14 (and less than 21) years' service were the same at the time of the South African War as they were during the late War.