§ 36. Sir B. FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will take the necessary action to hasten the issue of pension certificates where applicable and the return of service certificates to naval invalided ratings, observing that unnecessary delay now occurs, and in the case of George Payne, gunner, Royal Marine Artillery, who was invalided on the 14th January, 1925, neither pension or service certificates have yet been received by him; and whether he is aware that the Ministry of Labour refuses to recognise any certificate other than the service certificate, and will not recognise the temporary certificate of the Admiralty, and that consequently naval invalided ratings are in some cases destitute for some weeks?
Mr. DAVIDSONI regret that, owing to Mr. Payne having received an award from the Ministry of Pensions in regard to a disability, it was necessary for certain inquiries to be made, and some unavoidable delay ensued. His pension papers have, however, now been issued to him. Every effort is made to send out these documents promptly. As regards the latter part of the question. I will have the necessary inquiries made. diplomatic service, of the rank of first secretary and under, who have resigned during the past year, and the number of candidates accepted for the service during the same period?