§ 26. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many dependants are left as a result of the recent submarine disaster; and what arrangements his Department is making for the pensions to which they will be entitled?
Mr. ALEXANDERIt is not yet practicable to state how many dependants are left as the result of the recent submarine disaster, but the necessary forms of application for pension were despatched to the widows of the officer and all married ratings on the 10th July. Up to date, pensions have been awarded to the widows of 14 ratings, and the remaining cases will be dealt with immediately the forms are returned to the Admiralty with the necessary particulars. I may remind the hon. Member that, in order, so far as practicable, to avoid undue hardship, payment of a qualifying allotment and of full marriage allowance is made to the widow of a rating already in receipt of marriage allowance for a period of four weeks subsequent to the death of her husband.