§ 3. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the part payment of pensions to widows and orphans of men who have lost their lives in the naval service in times of peace out of Greenwich Hospital funds takes any from the amount available out of those funds to meet the requirements of old age pensions; and, if so, can he see his way to make the necessary payments out of naval funds?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am afraid I cannot adopt the suggestion made in the second part. As the hon. Member is aware, we have taken steps in connection with the Seamen Pensioner Reserve class which places more money at our disposal for Greenwich Hospital pensions.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it not the fact that by drawing these widows' pensions from the Greenwich Hospital funds, to that extent the funds available for old age pensions are depleted?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes. I said that the reply to the first part of the question was in the affirmative.