§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Minister of Pensions what would be the total pension on demobilisation at the end of four and a half years' War service of an able seaman, called up, who had previously been invalided with tuberculosis after 10 years' service; how much of this pension would be in respect of his War service; and what pension an able seaman with only one year's service, and invalided during the War with tuberculosis, would receive on discharge; and will he take steps to rectify any inequality that may exist in dealing with these cases?
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§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe general position regarding men invalided and pensioned before the War who were called up for service was indicated in the reply given to the hon. Member on the 17th ultimo. The pension of a seaman, reassessed on demobilisation, would not ordinarily be increased in respect of a total of less than 15 years' service, unless during his mobilised service he had been advanced to leading rate, or had earned additional good conduct badge. As regards the seaman invalided during the War, if the disability was attributable to or aggravated by service, he would receive a pension in accordance with the degree of disablement so long as the disablement or aggravation persisted; but when this was no longer the case, compensation would cease. The pensioner called up has, however, in any case, a permanent pension. I may add that the question of specially increasing pre-War life disability pensions in the cases of men who served again in the Great War is under consideration, and it is hoped that it may be possible to make an announcement at an early date.