§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that orphans of men who have died on service who enter Greenwich Hospital School have their pensions paid into Greenwich Hospital fund instead of to the widow or guardian; whether he is aware that the boys have still to be supported during the holidays, and that petty officers and men who are in receipt of regular wages obtain the privilege of Greenwich School for their sons free of charge; and why this discrimination is made in the case of orphans of men who have died on service, so that the money is not paid to their widow, seeing that the funds of Greenwich Hospital were established, among other purposes, for the support of widows of seamen?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy hon. and gallant Friend is incorrect in his impression that the orphans of men who have died on service, who enter the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich, have their pensions paid into the funds of Greenwich Hospital. The education and maintenance of boys in the Royal Hospital School is in all cases entirely free of any charge upon the parents or guardians, and pensions in respect of any such boys are not paid to the funds of Greenwich Hospital. There is, therefore, no such discrimination as is implied in the question. Moreover, I understand from the Ministry of Pensions that State pensions are issued for any holidays that a boy may spend at home.