§ 8. Mr. HOGGEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the number of men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines to whom the conspicuous gallantry medal has been awarded since 4th August, 1914; whether the medal may be accompanied by the grant of an annuity not exceeding £20; the number of recipients of the medal during hostilities who have been awarded annuities and the rate of each; and the rating or rank of those to whom annuities have not been awarded and the reasons of the non-award?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)From 4th August, 1914, up to 16th December last, fifty-two conspicuous gallantry medals were awarded. An annuity not exceeding £20 may be granted at the discretion of the Admiralty to petty officers of the Royal Navy and sergeants of the Royal Marines, who, whether before or after attaining those ratings have been awarded the conspicuous gallantry medal. The number of such annuities granted during the present War is twenty-eight, namely, twenty-four of £10 and four of £20. Furthermore, a seaman or marine in possession of the medal without an annuity may be paid a gratuity of £20 on discharge, or promotion to a commission, or, should he die while serving, the gratuity is paid to his estate. All recipients of the conspicuous gallantry medal who did not receive an annuity are of the relative ratings of leading seaman, corporal, or below. The reason for the non-award in these cases is the restriction imposed by the Order in Council dealing with the medal, which debars ratings below those of petty officer Royal Navy or sergeant Royal Marines. Any man, however, who attains the specified rating become eligible for consideration for an annuity.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill my right hon. Friend take into account this Order in Council, which deprives the ordinary seaman and the leading seaman of the annuity which is given with the medal to the higher ranks?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Order in Council is a pretty old one, and I think it might be reviewed.
§ 9. Mr. HOGGEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the scale of pensions and gratuities payable to petty officers and men of the Royal Navy, and non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines, who continue to serve in His Majesty's forces after having been wounded or disabled in His Majesty's service?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAPensions or gratuities for wounds, etc., are only granted to men on their discharge from the Service, in compensation for the loss of earning power caused by the service. So long as the men remain on full pay, with all the privileges attached thereto,. no question of awarding any compensation arises.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the right hon. Gentleman say why officers who are wounded receive pensions before they are discharged and men do not?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat is not the question.
57. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any steps have yet been taken to increase the separation allowance in the case of the parents of apprentices or students who would by this time have been earning larger wages and salaries and making substantial contributions to their parents' support?
§ 110. Mr. SNOWDENasked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division), whether, in view of the fact that the new Royal Pension Warrant admits liability for prospective earnings in the case of apprentices who have been killed while serving in the Army, he will apply the same principle to separation allowances in cases where had the lads remained at home they would now have been receiving journeyman wages?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer these questions. I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer which was given on this subject on the 22nd February by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the-Ministry of Pensions.
§ Mr. FORSTERI think the Parliamentary Secretary said that steps had been taken.