§ 14. Mr. THURTLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the late 1st Class Stoker George M. Thornhill, of H.M.S. "Raleigh," who lost his life in endeavouring to save the lives of his shipmates at the wreck of the "Raleigh," was, at the time of his death, making a weekly allowance of 25s. to his invalid mother and whether, in these circumstances, a pension can be granted to the mother as some compensation to her for the loss of income she has suffered through the death of her son?
§ Mr. AMMONThis case has been most carefully investigated, and the fact that Stoker Thornhill made an allowance of 25s. a week to his mother was fully appreciated at the time her application for a pension was under consideration. The Regulations governing pensions to parents of seamen (or soldiers or airmen) whose deaths are due to the Service do not pro vide for the award of assistance when the father is alive and earning normal wages, and I regret that it has consequently not been practicable to make any award to Mrs. Thornhill.
§ Mr. THURTLEDoes my hon. Friend realise that the refusal of a pension in this case means that the mother of this very gallant seaman has been seriously penalised by the heroic action of her son?
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it to be the policy of this Government, in any case like this, that people are to be forced into a pauperised position?
§ Mr. AMMONThis Government and other Governments must and can operate only within the Regulations that are in force.
§ Mr. HARDIECan the hon. Gentleman state that this Government is going to make a promise now to change these things?