asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will review the principle upon which fees are charged on commuting pensions and introduce a system of a fixed fee for every pension commuted to cover the cost of the medical examination instead of basing the fee on the sums advanced as at present?

The fees are calculated with a view to covering not only the medical examination, but the other expenses of the Commutation Board as well. I am not prepared to recommend an alteration in the present scale.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the easier monetary conditions prevailing, he will take steps to revoke the 6 per cent, officers' commutation table of 1920 and reintroduce the table of 1913 at 5 per cent., thereby assisting needy officers to commute their pensions at a higher figure and more in accordance with their proper market value?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on the 1st instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Portsmouth (Sir B. Falle) of which I am sending him a copy. The rates temporarily prevailing for short-term money are not of course relevant to the rate which can be used for the commutation of pensions.