§ 78. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the guarantee of a sum of £200,000 in order to operate a contributory scheme of pensions to widows of naval ratings; or will he authorise the loan of this amount, following the precedent established when the Navy and Army Canteen Board was created, repayable in a given number of years and free of interest?
Mr. GRAHAMI could of course only consider such a proposal on the recommendation of the Board of Admiralty. I fear, however, that in view of the many demands upon the Exchequer I cannot hold out any hope of financial assistance for this scheme in either of the forms suggested by my hon. Friend. As he is aware, the whole question of widows' pensions 258 is at present under consideration by His Majesty's Government.
§ Sir B. FALLEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that even the suspicion of charity or a charitable suggestion is offensive to a great many naval people and that the Admiralty has already been most sympathetic towards the scheme?
Mr. GRAHAMThat may be, but we could only consider a scheme in the first place if it were put forward by the Board of Admiralty. Quite apart from that, I should think this question will be considered among others when the Government makes any general announcement regarding widows' pensions.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAWill these ratings come under the general scheme; and is not the hon. Gentleman aware that they actually propose a contributory scheme of their own?