§ 42. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will inquire into the case of Chief Cook J. Young, who served 23 years' continuous service, including the War, and was discharged to shore without pension on the grounds that he was an alien, his place of birth having been put down by the recruiting officer as Mobile, United States of America, while J. Young claims he was born in Nassau, Bahamas?
Mr. DAVIDSONI note that James Young now claims to have been born at Nassau, Bahamas. According to his declaration on entry into the Naval Service he was born in Alabama, U.S.A. He later submitted a sworn statement that he was born near Montreal, Canada, but was a subject of the United States of America and the son of subjects of the United States.
I may add that as far back as 1904 the Board of Admiralty decided that he could only reckon time for pension provided he became naturalised. In connection with his present claim to pension he has been invited to prove that he was born in British Dominions but he has not submitted such evidence.
§ Sir B. FALLEWas this man informed that he would have to be naturalised in 1904?
§ Sir B. FALLEDoes the hon. Gentleman not think that it is rather late, after a long service of 23 years, and all through the War, that a man should be refused a pension.
Mr. DAVIDSONThis man must have known in 1904 that, unless he was a British subject, he could not have a pension.
§ Mr. MAXTONHaving regard to the very arduous and important duties that this particular man has performed, could the hon. Gentleman not give consideration to this as a special case?
§ Mr. SPENCERHow can he, if he cannot?