MR. STANLEY WILSON (Yorkshire, E.R., Holderness)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the advisability of extending the benefits of the Special Greenwich Hospital Pensions, now granted to officers and warrant officers only, to fifty chief petty officers, and of making the pensions so granted £20 per annum each.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) All chief petty officers are at the present time eligible for assistance from Greenwich Hospital Special Funds and for the Greenwich Hospital Age Pension. The establishment of a fixed pension for fifty chief petty officers similar to the Greenwich Hospital Pensions at present in force for warrant officers would necessitate the withdrawal of the above privileges which the whole class at present receive. In view of these facts, and of the recent considerable increase in the rate of pension awarded these men from Naval funds, there appears no sufficient reason to grant the further privilege suggested in the Question.