33. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Secretary of State for Air whether Captain Hinchcliffe, who recently lost his 2230 life in an attempt to fly the Atlantic, was a member of the Reserve of the Royal Air Force; and whether he was in receipt of any service pension?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe answer to the first par; of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, Captain Hinchliffe was not in receipt of service pension or of any non-effective award from the Air Ministry, but I understand that he was in receipt of, a wounds pension and disability retired pay for war service from the Ministry of Pensions.
Mr. MALONEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the widow and two young children of this gallant officer are in very poor circumstances, and will he, in view of the great services rendered to aviation by this officer, and of the fact that the State has benefited to the extern; of £500,000, make representations, through whatever channels he thinks most suitable, that adequate provision be made for this officer's widow?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe gentleman in question was not an officer on the Reserve of the Royal Air Force, and the Air Ministry, therefore, has no locus standi in the matter. I would suggest to the hon. Member that he should address a question to the Ministry of Pensions.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs there no compassionate grant in the Air Ministry, as there is in the Admiralty, that can be applied to oases of this sort?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOne ought to be established.