§ MR. KEARLEY (Devonport)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the loss of life occasioned by the recent explosion on H.M.S. "Good Hope," he is now able to announce the decision of the Government with regard to granting State pensions to the widows and orphans of those seamen and marines who lose their lives on duty similar to those awarded to the widows and orphans of men killed on war service.
§ Mr. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir. Arrangements have now been made by the Admiralty that the pensions granted from the Greenwich Hospital Fund to the widows and children of the seamen and Marines who lose their lives by accident shall be supplemented from the Navy Votes so as to bring them up to the war scale laid down in 1901. This arrangement will cover the cases of existing widows and orphans.
§ MR. KEARLEYWill the concession be retro-active?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir, I said so.