82. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Pensions Minister whether it is proposed to issue a new Royal Warrant dealing with pensions for officers and their dependants; whether it is proposed to give effect to the Report of the Select Committee on Naval and Military Services (Pensions and Grants), which reported that the grant of pensions to officers' relatives are too rigid and ought to be revised with reference to the principles on which pensions, etc., are granted to the dependants of men serving in the ranks; and whether he can say within what period he hopes to make new proposals?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Barnes)I propose to issue shortly a new Warrant dealing with pensions for officers and their dependants, and I think that the hon. Member will find that the Report of the Select Committee has not been disregarded. I am unable to state the precise date when the Warrant will be ready, but good progress is being made.
83. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Pensions Minister whether any provision is made for the illegitimate child of an officer who has been killed in action, the child having been maintained by him in his own house previous to his death; whether provision is made for the illegitimate child of a private soldier in similar circumstances; and whether, if the soldier happens to have been promoted to the rank of officer for distinguished service before his death, the child loses all right to pension or allowance?
§ Mr. BARNESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative. The position of unmarried wives and illegitimate children of officers is being considered in connection with the proposed new Warrant for officers' pensions, but I am not in a position to anticipate the decision which will be reached.