§ 51. Mr. Louis Smithasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the system upon which pensions are granted to widows of officers killed while flying, or grants made to dependent relatives; whether such awards are based upon any percentage of the salaries received during lifetime by the deceased; and, if so, what this percentage is?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the relevant provisions of King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions.
§ Mr. SmithHaving regard to the much greater risk run by these flying officers, does not the hon. and gallant Member consider that pensions to widows should be on a higher scale than in other circumstances?
§ 53. Mr. Smithasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of fatal accidents which have occurred since the 1251 beginning of the year to officers of the Royal Air Force while on duty; in how many of these cases a pension has been awarded or a grant made to dependent relatives; and the average amount per annum awarded to each officer?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadAs regards the first part of the question, the number of fatal accidents was 29, of which four were to officers of the Royal Navy attached to the Royal Air Force for service with the Fleet Air Arm. The awards to the dependants of these officers have been included in the information which follows, after consultation with the Admiralty, by whom the awards in respect of naval officers are made. As regards the second part, two pensions have been awarded and the award of another is under consideration. as also are three applications from parents of unmarried officers. The figures asked for in the last part are £100 per annum pension plus £200 gratuity and, in one case, £24 per annum in respect of a child.
§ Mr. SmithIn thanking the hon. and gallant Member for his reply, may I ask whether he is satisfied that this apparently small amount of pension is in some cases adequate?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat question does not arise.