§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (EARL STANHOPE)My Lords, this is a short Bill of two operative clauses which I hope I can explain in very few words. It deals solely with officers of the Royal Naval Reserve. Under the Act of 1863, pensions were limited to disablement caused by wounds. There was no provision for disablement from disease attributed to service. Similarly, the old Act limited pensions to widows. There was no provision for children. Officers of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve have had these limitations withdrawn and a new scheme for payment of pensions for disablement or death on service has come into force, but until the Act of 1863 is amended an improved scheme cannot be applied to officers of the Royal Naval Reserve. That is what Clause 1 seeks to effect.
Clause 2 is for a different purpose. Again under the Act of 1863, the 1013 Admiralty had to obtain an Order in Council for any change, however small, in the Regulations affecting the service of Royal Naval Reserve officers. It is now proposed that, unless questions of pay or allowances are affected, an Order in Council shall not be necessary. This Bill does not in any way encroach on existing rights and privileges of Royal Naval Reserve officers. It extends to them benefits already enjoyed by other officers, and I hope therefore that your Lordships will give it a Second Reading.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2ª—(Earl Stanhope.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2ª, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.