§ 66. Lieut.-Colonel BURGOYNEasked the Pensions Minister whether any provision has been made to meet the needs of repatriated prisoners of war of the Mercantile Marine?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of PENSIONS (Colonel Sir James Craig)The Ministry of Pensions is concerned with only a small proportion of the Mercantile Marine, namely, those ratings who signed certain Admiralty agreements and were under naval discipline. Such men are pensionable on the same terms as men of the Royal Navy, and can apply to their local war pensions committee at any time after demobilisation if suffering from a disability due to or aggravated by service.
§ Lieut.-Colonel BURGOYNEAre we to understand that a large proportion of these gallant men, who have been disabled and impoverished in the service of their country, are "to receive neither recognition nor recompense from the State?
§ Sir J. CRAIGNo: my hon. and gallant Friend must understand quite differently. If these ratings have signed on under the special circumstances mentioned in my answer, then they come under the pensions scheme in the same way as men of the Royal Navy, or the Air Force, or the Army.
§ Lieut.-Colonel BURGOYNEIs it not a fact that a large number were interned before they had an opportunity of signing what is referred to, and are they to be cut out of the benefit?
§ Sir J. CRAIGIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will send me names of any cases, I will inquire into them.
§ Lieut.-Colonel BURGOYNEI will send a hundred.