asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any existing system under which pensions are granted to the widows of Governors of Crown Colonies, and, if so, whether he will state its nature; and whether any record is kept of the financial position of such widows of men who have rendered the State good service but who may be, in some cases, in poor circumstances?

There is no provision for pensions to the widows of Governors as such; but if, prior to his appointment as Governor, an officer was a contributor to one of the many schemes which exist for providing pensions for the widows and orphans of Colonial civil servants, his widow would be eligible for a pension on his death. No record is kept of the financial position of Governors' widows.