§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that ex-Sergeant William Westerside, of 4, Warrington Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, in receipt of 3s. per day pension from the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, is desirous of emigrating to Australia; that arrangements are well in hand for the man and his family to settle on a farm in that Dominion: that the Royal Warrant does not permit of a commutation of the man's pension except in respect of 1s. per day; and whether, in view of these facts, he Nall take steps to amend the Royal Warrant to permit of the commutation of the whole or a larger proportion of the pension of men who fall into this category so as to facilitate their emigration to the Dominions?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI regret that I cannot contemplate any amendment to the Royal Warrant on the lines suggested. The Chelsea Commissioners are prepared to consider an application from Mr. Westerside to corn-route ls. a day for the purpose of emigration, which would provide him with a sum of about £215. In addition, he can be granted an advance of six months' pension for this purpose.