§ 119. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of pensioners who have served from thirty to forty years in His Majesty's dockyards assisting to build up the Fleet are now in receipt of pensions ranging from 10s. to£1 a week; that these men are suffering hardship by reason of the increased cost of living; and will he consider the possibility of granting pensioners over sixty years of age a small bonus to continue for the duration of the War?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAPensions to civilians employed in naval establishments are awarded by the Treasury under the Superannuation Acts, and the Admiralty 1313 has no power to augment allowances which are assessed in accordance with the provisions of those Acts. Any action in this direction could be taken only by means of fresh legislation.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman introduce the necessary fresh legislation or invite the Prime Minister to do so?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat is a matter for the Government and not for me.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEHave not these men worked for their pensions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARACertainly.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it not the fact that the increased cost of living applies just as much to these men as it does to old age pensioners, and, that being so, why should they not have a bonus?