§ 33. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there are certain coastguards whose time expired in 1914 who have not yet received their pensions, whereas coastguards whose time expired in 1916 have received their pensions; and can he explain the reason for the omission?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt has been represented to the Admiralty that the decision to pay pensions as from 2nd August, 1914, or date of completing time for pensions, involved hardship to men who had transferred to the coastguard with the expectation that they would be permitted to serve therein until they reached the compulsory age for retirement unless previously invalided. The Board has, therefore, decided to allow coastguardsmen an option of taking their pensions under the conditions originally promulgated or of continuing to serve without pension under the regulations applicable to that Service. Pending the exercise of this option, further action in connection with the award of Coastguard Pensions is suspended. In cases where the pensions awarded have been received, it will be open to the men to refund the payments and resume their former positions.