§ Mr. MACPHERSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that on the West Coast of Scotland, and particularly in the Island of Lewis, there are second-class Naval Reserve men who have to their credit over twenty years' service; whether they are entitled to a pension; and, if not, whether he will take steps to insure that they should get one?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. In regard to the third part of the question, I may point out that the conditions of service in the old second class. Royal Naval Reserve, never provided for a pension being granted to these men, a fact of which they were aware during the whole of their service. Opportunities existed by which these second-class men could qualify for the first class, or later the "Qualified Seaman" class, or the present R.N.R. Seaman rating, and so obtain the necessary service for award of a pension.