HC Deb 10 June 1920 vol 130 cc568-9
7. Major Sir KEITH FRASER

asked the Minister of Pensions whether steps have been taken to give pensions or otherwise compensate the relatives of those Government officials who lost their lives through enemy action against the Irish mail boat "Leinster," which was torpedoed in the Irish Channel in the winter of 1918; and whether he is aware that a civilian who was employed as an inspector of contracts by the War Office lost his life on that occasion, and that his relatives received no compensation whatever, because he was not actually in receipt of pay, although he applied for pay some months beforehand, and was informed that the rate of pay that he would receive was under consideration?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Baldwin)

The widows and children of salaried civil officials of the Government who lost their lives in the "Leinster" while travelling on duty are entitled to the benefits of the Warrant of the 16th September, 1887, framed under Section 1 of the Superannuation Act of that year. There is no power to make an award under the Warrant in the case of a man doing voluntary service. I understand that the Treasury did not agree to assign a salary to the person in question.

Sir K. FRASER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this officer worked for one year without pay for the War Office, and would not accept payment until he realised that he was earning a salary, when he asked for pay, which was under consideration for six months, during which time he lost his life, his wife and children being in receipt of the small sum of £600 a year?

Mr. BALDWIN

It is the case, as the hon. Gentleman states, that the officer in question did not receive any pay. Therefore, he was ineligible, as I have stated. The case could only have been met by this House making a specific vote or by an application being made for Royal Bounty. The circumstances, into which I carefully looked, are that his means are not such as to make him eligible for Royal Bounty, and I do not consider there is any case that could have been brought before this House for special consideration.

Sir K. FRASER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he was worth £4,000 a year, and that he left his wife only £600 a year?

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