§ General Sir IVOR PHILIPPSasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that a weekly allowance or pension of 14s. 2d. was granted to hired shipwright George Howard Bowen, No. 1321, on the 14th February, 1901, and that the weekly allowance or pension was reduced from 1st July, 1917, to a quarterly payment of £4 12s. 4d.; why this reduction in 908W the pension of this man has been made and why no explanation was supplied to the pensioner for the change in his pension when sending him artificer's claimant's bill, dated Paymaster-General's Office, Whitehall, 21st June, 1917?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe allowance referred to was compensation for an injury which occurred in June, 1900, and which then resulted in the "total destruction" of earning capacity. In August, 1916, it transpired that Bowen was actually earning more than his wages before the injury, and he was medically resurveyed. It was then found that his earning capacity was only "impaired," and the compensation allowance was reduced to 7s. 1d. a week, or £4 12s. 4d. a quarter, with effect from the 7th of last month only. The naval authorities at Pembroke Dock were directed on the 19th June to acquaint Bowen, and have no doubt done so.