HC Deb 03 May 1883 vol 278 c1721
SIR H. DEUMMOND WOLFF

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether the Government will consent to the appointment of a Committee of this House to inquire into means of establishing a fund for providing pensions for the widows of seamen and marines?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNEEMAN

Sir, it has been already announced that the Government intend to bring in a Bill enabling them to grant pensions to the widows of men killed in the Service. It is not at all contemplated to go beyond this limit, and we are not disposed to refer to a Committee of this House a question involving the novel principle of providing pensions for widows of seamen and marines—a principle which would, of course, have to be extended to apply also to widows of soldiers in the Army.

CAPTAIN PRICE

asked whether the matter would be brought on before the Estimate of the Greenwich Hospital was laid on the Table?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNEEMAN

Yes, Sir, before the Vote is taken.