§ 83. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the distress generally amongst dockyard pensioners owing to the increased cost of living; and is he now in a position to hold out any hope that their case will, like that of the old age pensioners, receive consideration by the Admiralty?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs I informed my hon. Friend in reply to previous questions on this subject, the Admiralty has no power to augment the pensions of dockyard workmen, which are awarded by the Treasury under Superannuation Acts applicable to the Civil Service as a whole.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDid not the right hon. Gentleman say exactly twelve months ago that he would consider the representations made to him by members interested in the subject, and that he would himself ask the Treasury to grant them?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAA reply, as my hon. Friend knows, was sent to those representations.
§ Colonel WHELERAre we to take it, then, that this class of men will get no help from the Admiralty at all?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe have no right to make any charge on the Navy Votes, whatever our sympathies may be. It is a matter for the Superannuation Act and the Treasury.