Major NEWMANasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will inquire into the case of Mrs. Dench, Brancaster, Staithe, King's Lynn, whose husband, George Dench, a naval pensioner with three medals and over forty years' service, recently died at the age of eighty, leaving his widow with no pension and destitute; and whether the Royal Navy possesses any funds to deal with cases such as this?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe facts as to Dench's service are as stated. I regret, however, that there are no funds at the disposal of the Admiralty from which any assistance could be granted in such a case.
§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Pensions Minister whether the pensions of Navy and Army veterans who were in receipt of pensions before the outbreak of the present War have been increased in proportion to the rise of prices, or at all, since 1914; and, 1486W if not, whether he will take steps and, if necessary, obtain power to ensure that men who served the country for long periods of years and are now too old to obtain employment are not overlooked and allowed to suffer destitution owing to the fall in value of their nominal pension?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Enfield.