44. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Ian Fraserasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will retain on full pay and allowances all sick and wounded returned prisoners of war in the Merchant Service until their economic position has been assured by the settlement of their pension claims and/or the securing of employment?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMerchant seamen who return from enemy prison camps are given one month's leave with basic pay and subsistence allowance. It should normally be possible for the Ministry of Pensions to decide within that period what pension, if any, should be allowed. Special arrangements, however, are being made to ensure, as far as practicable, that there shall be no gap between the stoppage of pay and the award of a pension. If any such case should happen, I should be happy to give it special and sympathetic consideration.