asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the numbers by which the Army has been reduced during the financial year ending 31st March, 1926; if he will further state the numbers and ranks in which the reductions have taken place; also, whether any of those whose services have been dispensed with have received pensions of any kind, and, if so, if he will state the number and the amount of the pensions.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ARMY STRENGTH REDUCTIONS.
During the period mentioned by the Deputy, the numerical strength of the forces was reduced by 22 officers and 995 other ranks, making a total of 1,017.
The numbers by ranks were:—
|
Officers. |
|||
|
Colonel |
1 |
||
|
Majors |
2 |
||
|
Commandants |
5 |
||
|
Captains |
11 |
||
|
Lieutenants |
2 |
||
|
2nd Lieutenants |
1 |
||
|
Other Ranks. |
|||
|
Sergeant-Major |
1 |
||
|
Quartermaster-Sergeant |
1 |
||
|
Company Sergeants |
40 |
||
|
Sergeants |
28 |
||
|
Corporals |
46 |
||
|
Privates |
879 |
Of the men discharged during the year, two ex-privates were awarded temporary wound pensions under the Army Pensions Act, 1923, one at the rate of 16/9 per week for the period from the 8th May, 1925, to the 31st January, 1926, and 10/6 per week for the period from the 1st February, 1926, to the 31st July, 1926, and the second at the rate of 10/4 per week for the period from the 19th September, 1925, to the 31st March, 1926. A wound gratuity of £25 was awarded to an ex-Sergeant under the same Act.
I regret that the compilation of details of pensions which may have been granted under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924, would entail so much labour as to make it impracticable for me to furnish the Deputy with the information to-day, and it is doubtful whether the labour involved would be justified. I believe that the number of cases in which pensions have been granted is comparatively small.
Is the Minister aware that the number of cases in which pensions have been granted is comparatively small? In the circumstances there should not be any great difficulty in getting them. One does not desire to put the Minister to any unnecessary trouble, but I shall feel satisfied if the number is given.
If the Deputy so desires he shall have the number, but I could not possibly give it to him to-day. A great many cases are involved—over twenty thousand.