§ 35. Colonel McCALMONTasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can now state what arrangements have been made to authorise local pensions 851 committees to make advances to dependants of mercantile ratings serving under the Admiralty?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am glad to be able to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that arrangements have now been made under which local war pensions committees will, where necessary, be able to make advances on account of allotment to the dependants of mercantile ratings serving under the Admiralty. These advances will be recoverable by moderate deductions from subsequent allotment instalments. I understand that the Ministry of Pensions is issuing a circular to local committees on the subject this week. The necessary Order has already been promulgated to the Fleet, and the arrangement should, accordingly, be in operation directly.