HC Deb 19 May 1927 vol 206 c1390W
Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in the event of the decease of an acting warrant officer, his widow would be eligible for pension due to the widows of warrant officers?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

The answer is in the negative, except where the officer has 12 months' service in the rank.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the widow of an acting warrant officer, who ceases compulsorily to contribute to the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Contributory Pensions scheme upon promotion to the acting rank of warrant officer, would be eligible for pension under this Act?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I have been asked to reply. In such a case, rights under the Pensions Act could be preserved, subject to the Act, by the man becoming a voluntary contributor. If this were not done, title to a widow's pension would depend on whether or not the deceased husband was an insured person at the time of his death, and the other conditions specified in the Contributory Pensions Act were satisfied. Insurance continues for, approximately, 21 months after the cessation of liability to contribute.