§ Major GLYNasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that public opinion, on the whole, is opposed to the granting of pensions in perpetuity to the descendants of distinguished persons to whom these grants were made, he will take steps to consult the descendants of those individuals, five in number, of which two cease on the death of the present holders, in order to come to some mutual arrangement for the liquidation of this annual payment?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe Treasury are always ready to commute perpetual pensions where terms can be arranged which are satisfactory from the taxpayer's standpoint. I will consider whether any222W action can be taken on the lines suggested by the hon. and gallant Member in regard to those of the pensions in question which are really perpetual.
§ Major GLYNasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any steps can be taken to commute the State pension granted to the heirs of the Duke of Schomberg, which was transferred from the gross revenue in 1857; whether, of the original pension of £2,880 net, £720 was commuted in 1855, £1,080 in 1876, £96 in 1877, £264 in 1883, and £360 as from the 26th November, 1915; whether the time has now come to consult with the heirs of this German nobleman with a view of winding up this pension; and who are the present heirs?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe facts are as stated in the question. The last recipient of this pension died in April last, and I have no information, as yet, as to any successor in title. The Treasury are, as always, ready to commute this pension if terms satisfactory to the interests of the taxpayer can he agreed upon.