§ Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Pensions Minister whether the Pensions Ministry is yet in a position to deal with the pensions and allowances of widows and dependants of officers and men in the mercantile marine serving in vessels in Admiralty employ; and, if not, what further authority he requires to deal with such matters?
§ Mr. HODGESteps will be taken forthwith to obtain an Order in Council authorising the Grant by my Department of the pensions and allowances referred to in the hon. Member's question.
§ Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as grants and allowances to officers and men of the mercantile marine who are in the service and pay of the Admiralty are placed on the Service scale, and pensions to their widows and dependants are also placed on the Service scale, he will take steps to provide that other officers and men of the mercantile marine who are injured or killed by enemy action during the War receive allowances, grants, and pensions on a not less generous scale?
Sir A. STANLEYI will look into the matter. I would, however, point out to the hon. Member that the alteration in the pensions and allowances announced1556W by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on the 24th April apply only in the case of men who have signed on, or may sign on, for the period of the War on vessels to which the provisions of Section 90 of the Naval Discipline Act have been applied, and that the conditions on service of other men in the mercantile marine are essentially different from those of the men referred to.