§ 12. Mr. GOULD (for Mr. MOSES)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider the possibility of granting the Greenwich Hospital pension of 5d. per day to all Naval Reserve men at the age of 05 years with from 15 to 3i years' service who have received the long-service and good conduct medals?
§ Mr. AMMONGreenwich Hospital pensions are part of the benefits of Greenwich Hospital, which, in regard to the age pension of 5d. a day, are restricted by Order in Council to pensioners from the active service who are in receipt of naval pensions for life. In these circumstances I regret that Naval Reserve men are not eligible.
§ 13. Mr. GOULD (for Mr. MOSES)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that Naval Reserve men who served during the Great War in mine-sweepers and merchant ships, pensioned since 1923, only receive £12 per annum instead of £18 as granted to the older men; and will he take any steps to help these men?
§ Mr. AMMONThe pension to which my hon. Friend refers is a deferred pension at the rate of £12 a year formerly granted to ex-members of the Royal Naval Reserve. It was susceptible of increase to £18 a year, under the provisions of Orders-in-Council which extended to Navy and Reserve pensioners benefits similar to those laid down in the Pensions (Increase) Acts, but these benefits do not apply to such pensions awarded after the 13th August, 1920. The particular type of pension is -now obsolete hut a certain number of awards at the rate of £12 a year have been made since August, 1920, and it is regretted that for the reason stated they are not susceptible of increase to £18.