HC Deb 21 February 1945 vol 408 c771
26. Mr. Lakin

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what progress has been made in reassessing the 3,000 cases due for supplementary awards payable in respect of merchant seamen killed or injured in the 1914–18 war, in order to bring them in line with what is now payable under the Royal Warrant.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. Noel-Baker)

A thousand pensioners have already been informed that they are to receive a supplementary award. Payments at the revised rates started in these cases on 19th February. The supplementary award will, in all cases where it is granted, be paid as from last October. In all cases where a supplementary award is made, it will be paid from the 1st of October last.

Mr. Lakin

Is it not a fact that this matter has been under consideration since August, and does not my hon. Friend think it is time it was dealt with?

Mr. Noel-Baker

The administrative detail is very complex. No time has been lost avoidably, but certainly we want to deal with it as quickly as we can.