HC Deb 14 December 1916 vol 88 cc848-50
101. Sir B. FALLE

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can say when those petty officers and men of the Royal Navy who have qualified for and become entitled to pension since the beginning of the War will receive the same; if the date of the commencement of the pensions will be the date on which the pensions became due, or will the date be deferred to the end of the War, when the man is discharged; if, in the event of the man being killed in action, his widow will have any claim on his pension for the past year; if the men who have become qualified for pension since the outbreak of the War may re-engage for a fifth five years, i.e., a further term of five years from the date of such qualification; if he can state the amount of increase of pension in such event; if such re-engagement can be made to date retrospectively; and if a petty officer's and man's pension is deferred pay?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The petty officers and men referred to in the question will not receive pension until discharged, but they are allowed to count their additional service for increased pension, which will be based on the total service to date of discharge; they receive in addition a special allowance of 2d. a day "detained pay" as from the date of completing time for pension. In the event of death, the dependants are eligible for pensions or gratuities, but they would not be paid the pension which would have been awarded to the man had he lived in addition to the pension or gratuity awarded in consequence of his death. As regards re-engagement for a further term of five years from the date of qualifying for pension, this is not now permitted; the men's services are retained up to a maximum period of five years under the Royal Proclamation. The following two parts of the question, therefore, do not arise. As regards the last part of the question, the pension scale applicable to petty officers and men of the Royal Navy is not fixed with reference to the amounts or rates of earned pay, and the pension, therefore, cannot accurately be described as deferred pay.

116. Mr. GINNELL

asked how it is that all payments due to and in connection with the late Private Peter Farrell, No. 10089, 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment, killed in action on 25th August last while under military age, have been stopped from his dependant mother, Mrs. Rose Farrell, Lacken, Multyfarnham; a scale, subject to given conditions, having been laid down, why is it not followed automatically in cases satisfying those conditions; and whether, having regard to this woman's circumstances and the loss of her boy, her sole support, the allowance to which she is entitled will be paid to her forthwith as from the ate of her son's death?

Mr. FORSTER

Inquiry is being made and the hon. Member will be informed of the result in due course.

117. Mr. BARLOW

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, with regard to the case of Private Smith, No. 10036, late 15th Lancashire Fusiliers, now Class W of the Reserve, whether he is aware that this man and his son were in the attack of 1st July and were both wounded; that this man is now in bed incapable of work; that he has a wife and nine children; that his wife's separation allowance has been cut off, while he receives no Army pay and no pension; and whether he proposes to take any steps to deal with this and other similar cases?

Mr. FORSTER

I had hoped to be able to answer this question to-day, but my examination of the general question involved has led me to think that further inquiries into the case are necessary. These are being made, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

118. Mr. BARLOW

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Private Harold Birch, No. 7000, 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers, went home without leave at Christmas, 1915, and that on returning he was punished on the understanding that his mother's pay should not be stopped; whether he is now in he 2/7th Lancashire Fusiliers, No. 3020; and whether he will explain why his mother's allowance is to be reduced for five weeks for this offence?

Mr. FORSTER

Inquiry will be made and the hon. Member informed of the result in due course.