§ 37. Mr. HOGGEasked the Pensions Minister what is the amount of the Voluntary Fund; how many applications have been received for grants; and how many have been made?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Sir A. Griffith-Boscawen)The contributions received up to the 16th October, 1918, amount to £470,195. Promised subscriptions raise this total to over £500,000. In the same period 12,435 applications for grants have been received by my Department. Grants have been made in 4,047 cases and refused in 1,412. The remainder of the cases are at present under inquiry.
§ Sir C. HENRYCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman state whether it is the intention of the Ministry of Pensions to make themselves responsible for any other voluntary fund?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENI am not aware that my right hon. Friend proposes anything of the kind.
§ 78. Mr. PETOasked the Pensions Minister whether it is a fact that officers and men of the Mercantile Marine are to be excluded from participation in the fund which he is now raising; and, if so, whether he can sate the reason for this decision?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENThe question as to whether officers and men of the Mercantile Marine were eligible for assistance from the King's Fund was raised as soon as the King's Fund was inaugurated, and in view of the fact that the appeal for the King's Fund was made for disabled officers and men of His Majesty's Navy, Army, and Air Service, it was ruled that the Mercantile Marine did not come within the category, and, moreover, they were included in and eligible for assistance from King George's Fund for Sailors.
Since this decision was given the Mercantile Marine ratings under naval discipline have become pensionable under the Government scheme. In view of this, my right hon. Friend proposes to refer the question of the eligibility of the Mercantile Marine for the benefits of the King's Fund to the trustees of that fund for decision.