§ Mr. COMPTONasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. T. Walley, late No. 2,038, private 1st York and Lancaster Regiment, of 19, Ahbeyfield Street, Openshaw, Manchester, who applied to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, for a special campaign pension on 29th August, 1919, four months prior to his being 65 years of age, and in reply was informed that his services did not qualify him to receive any pension, but was not notified that if the application were renewed in four months he would be eligible for the pension; and whether, seeing that, on receipt of advice from a non-official source, Mr. Walley made a further application in 1921 when the pension was awarded with effect from 9th June, 1921, he will, as the old soldier was eligible for the pension on reaching the age of 65, authorise the payment of arrears from 2nd January, 1920?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWhen Mr. Walley inquired in August, 1919, as to his eligibility for a pension, he was informed by the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital that he was not eligible for a service pension, but that special campaign pensions could be granted to old soldiers subject to certain conditions, one condition being that the applicant must have attained the age of 65. He did not apply again until May, 1921, and: was then granted a special campaign pension with effect from 11th May, 1921. It is contrary to the rule to give retrospective1352W effect to these compassionate awards, and the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital see no sufficient grounds for a departure from the rule in this case.