§ Mr. WHELERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that J. T. Mitson, "whilst serving as chief stoker petty officer in His Majesty's Navy, lost two fingers of his right hand and his left arm, and was consequently invalided from the service; whether he is aware that the injuries which Mitson received involve daily assistance in dressing and feeding, and that the only annual compensation 356 which he receives in addition to his pension is the sum of £13 13s.; and, whether, having regard to the nature of Mitson's injuries, he will increase the amount of annual compensation awarded to him?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)Mitson was invalided in June, 1910, his injuries being the loss of the right arm and the third and fourth finger of the left hand. His service was nineteen years and 123 days. He had not, therefore, completed his time for a long service pension. The award to him was made under the provisions in the King's Regulations relative to the cases of men injured on duty. The scale of such awards is at rates dependent on the degree of disablement; and the pension which Mitson is receiving, namely, £50 11s. per annum, is the maximum allowable in his case.
§ Mr. WHELERDoes not his nineteen years' service qualify him for any pension?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANot for a long service pension.
§ Sir C KINLOCH-COOKECould not Mitson obtain very much better compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act than he has received from the Admiralty?
§ Dr. MACNAMARASailors and soldiers do not come under the Compensation Act, and therefore the question does not arise.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIt is obviously unfair.