§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the pension at present granted to the widow of a petty officer, first class, Royal Navy, drowned on service in 1894, and the pension given to the widow of a petty officer, first class, Royal Navy, drowned on service in 1918?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe pension granted to the widow of a petty officer, 1st class, Royal Navy, drowned on service in 1894 is 7s. 6d. a week, with an allowance of 2s. a week for each child dependent on the mother. The latter part of the question is for the Ministry of Pensions. But I may say that the pension granted to the widow of a petty officer, 1st class, drowned on service in 1918 is 16s. 3d. a week, with allowances for her children as follow:
Furthermore, under Ministry of Pensions Regulations, the widow may in certain circumstances receive an alternative pension in excess of the above-mentioned rate. At present the rates of pension and allowances awarded by the Ministry of Pensions in such a case are increased by a war bonus of 20 per cent.
- For the first child, 6s. 8d. a week.
- For the second child, 5s. a week.
- For each child after the second, 4s. 2d. a week.