§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many of the petty officers and men who lost their lives in the accident to Submarine A3 were married; whether any of the married men had children; whether any of the single men had fathers or mothers dependent upon them for their support; and what rates of compassionate allowance will be paid to the widows, children, and parents?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)So far as is known six of the men have left widows and four of them have left children. Two of the widows have been granted pensions of 5s. a week, and allowances of 1s. 6d. each for their children; two have been granted pensions of 9s. a week, and allowances of 2s. a week for their children; one has been granted a pension of 5s. a week; and the case of the sixth is tinder investigation. The circumstances of relatives (other than widows) of two men are being investigated with a view to the grant of gratuities, if they are found to have been dependent. In the cases of the remaining two men it is not yet known whether they have left widows or other relatives who would be eligible for pensions or gratuities.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire and let me know privately later as to the remaining men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThey are given under a scale. I do not know whether they would be withdrawn under any circumstances in the case of the mothers, but they are given generally in the case of the children up to fourteen years of age for boys, and up to sixteen years of age for girls.