19. Mr. ROBINSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that the rear-admiral in charge of submarines has issued an appeal for funds to supplement the pensions paid to the widows and dependants of the men lost in the submarine Ml, he will state how many pensions have been issued; what is the actual sum paid as pension to the widows of each rank and rating; and whether it is proposed to increase the amount of pension above that provided in the Order in Council?
Mr. DAVIDSONPensions and allowances under the conditions set out and at the rates provided in Order in Council of the 7th November, 1924, have been awarded in respect of 35 widows of men lost in His Majesty's Submarine "M/" and of their children. I am sending the hon. Member a list giving details of these awards. So far as is known there are no other widows eligible for pension. Claims from dependants other than widows and children are being investigated as and when received. I regret that there is no authority to increase from naval funds the amount of pension provided in the Order in Council.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the dependants left, as the result of this disaster, were put to considerable privations in the early stages owing to the impossibility of getting the pensions through, and the Admiralty diminished the allotments that were payable to the wives?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise.
§ Mr. MACLEANWhy should it be necessary for the Rear-Admiral or any official to invite contributions from the outside public to assist relief that ought to have been made by the Government itself?
§ Mr. HAYESWill the hon. Gentleman please circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT 434 the list of awards referred to in his reply?