§ 6. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can say to what purpose is put the money deducted from men in the Navy for petty offences by way of fines; whether he can give the amount received by the Admiralty in this manner during the last five years; and whether he can see his way to allow the moneys so collected to be placed to the credit of a fund specially ear-marked for aiding the provision of pensions to widows and orphans of men who have lost their lives in the naval service?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe deductions made from men's pay are brought to account as an appropriation in aid of Vote 1 of the Navy Estimates. The stoppages of pay from men while in cells, mulcts, etc., for the last five completed years for which figures are available are as follows:—
As regards the last part of the question, we are now considering the amount of pensions to widows and orphans of men who have lost their lives in the naval service.
£ 1906–07 … … … 17,649 1907–08 … … … 18,233 1908–09 … … … 16,349 1909–10 … … … 14,425 1910–11 … … … 13,392
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMight it not be advisable for the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to consider the question of using the money contributed in fines for the purpose of increasing the pensions to widows and orphans?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat I cannot say. What I have said is that we are considering the amount of the pensions for widows and orphans of men who have lost their lives in the Service. Whether we should use this money for that purpose it would not be for me to say.
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo decision has been arrived at. I should be sorry by any statement to raise hopes which might possibly not be realised.