§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been judicially determined that officers of the staff for Royal Engineer services come under the Army Act on receiving their commissions; whether they are gazetted the same as other officers on receiving their commissions; whether their duties are military and not civilian; and, if so, will he say why they are excepted from the provision of the Royal Warrant granting pensions to the widows, and compassionate allowances to the children, of commissioned officers?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer to the first two parts of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. These officers are non-combatants and are employed on technical duties under the 'Works Branch of the Royal Engineers. They are not entitled to pensions for their widows and children because they are for purposes of pension treated as Civil servants and the widows and children do not receive pensions.