HC Deb 11 February 1915 vol 69 cc727-8
84. Mr. PRETYMAN

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether pensions have been awarded to the widows and children of officers who lost their lives through the destruction of His Majesty's; ship "Bulwark" on Scale B, whereas those pensions in the loss of the "Good Hope" and "Monmouth" were on Scale A; whether the same discrimination has been shown in the case of dependants on the men of the lower deck who lost their lives on these ships; if not, whether officers and men can be similarly treated; will he say whether the scale of pensions for widows of marine officers is now lower than that of widows of naval officers of the same relative rank; and, if so, whether this inequality can now be removed?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The hon. and gallant Member is correct in his assumption that pensions on Scale B have been awarded in the case of the officers who lost their lives in the "Bulwark" and on Scale A in the case of the officers of the "Good Hope" and "Monmouth." Under present regulations the higher scale is only applicable where officers are killed in action or die as the result of wounds received in action, but the question whether the scale can be extended to cases such as the "Bulwark" is at present under consideration. There is only one scale in the case of petty officers and men. The last part of the question, which doubtless has reference to the fact that certain marine officers when embarked hold higher relative rank than when ashore, is under consideration.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Do the payments under Scale B come out of naval funds or out of the Greenwich Hospital Funds?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I imagine all these payments come out of the naval funds.

Mr. PRETYMAN

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect some decision to be arrived at, for till it is there are these widows receiving these very much smaller payments, and there is a great sense of injustice?

Dr. MACNAMARA

With regard to the petty officers and men of the "Bulwark" the hon. and gallant Gentleman may know that they are on the war scale. In respect of the officers, they are on Scale B—not so good a scale—because of the terms of the Regulations. I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that personally I have great sympathy with the suggestion that they should be on Scale A, and I will at any time exercise what influence I can to secure that result.