§ Mr. Hutchinsonasked the Minister of Pensions whether the conditions under which pensions are granted in respect of disabilities arising out of accidents sustained when not on duty, set out in Section 2 of the recent White Paper, apply to personnel of the Merchant Navy?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe provisions to which the hon. Member refers were approved by the Government for members of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Riayal Air Force, on account of the special position of members of those services. Members of the Merchant Navy are eligible for compensation in respect of a war injury, a war risk injury or detention sustained by reason of service as a mariner in a British ship. Other injuries continue to be dealt with under the normal peace time provisions and I should not feel justified in seeking to amend the Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Act, 1942> to bring within its scope accidents sustained by its members while not on duty in this country.