§ 8. Mr. PETOasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state the terms on which pensions and allowances will be granted to widows and dependants of officers and men in the mercantile marine serving in vessels in Admiralty employ; and when the new scale will be operative?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I had hoped to have been in a position to have given my hon. Friend a definite answer to-day. I am sorry that is not possible. The matter is still the subject of discussion between the Departments concerned. I think I may safely promise a final reply this day week.
§ 44. Mr. RENDALLasked the Pensions Minister whether he has now considered the question of the awarding of a pension to the mother of Private E. H., No. 46,127, West Yorkshire Regiment, who was shot for desertion, and who, prior to her son's death, was receiving 8s. 9d. weekly (ring paper No. V 33,241); if such pension has been refused, is it because although the widow of a soldier who has been shot is entitled to a pension a mother under similar circumstances is not; and how he justifies such a distinction?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Hodge)The regimental paymaster reports that separation allowance will be paid in this case till the 16th September next. The question of pension will therefore be dealt with in August, and any pension admissible will be paid from the 17th September. No distinction is drawn in these cases between widows and other dependants.