§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether John William Beattie, No. 164,975, chief yeoman of signals, served in His Majesty's Navy from December, 1045W 1891, until 8th June, 1911, when he was invalided out through defective eyesight caused by continuous use of wireless and searchlight signalling; whether Beattie rejoined on 6th August, 1914, and served until 2nd April, 1919, having then put in a total service of over 23 years; whether he has three good conduct badges, the long service and good conduct medals, and possesses an unblemished record; whether, upon his application for a pension, he was informed that, as he had left the naval service 28 days before the coming into force of the complete Jerram award, he is not entitled to the full amount under it; whether the utmost pension he has been able to obtain is £49 1s. instead of £85 3s. 4d. which he would have received had he served the other 28 days, whilst he has also been deprived of a difference in increased pay amounting to £85 9s. 11d.; and whether, in the circumstances, he can see his way to recommend an ex gratia payment to Chief Yeoman Beattie?
§ Sir J. CRAIGBeattie entered as a boy, 2nd class, on 18th December, 1891, and was rated signalman on 8th October, 1894. He was invalided for defective vision on 8th June, 1911. He re-entered on 2nd August, 1914, and was demobilised on 2nd April, 1919, his Protection Identity Certificate being dated 5th March, 1919. On discharge he held three good conduct badges, the Good Conduct Medal, and his character was V.G. throughout. The new scales of pay apply only to men actually serving on (i.e., not dispersed prior to) 1st May, 1919. Beattie had actually ceased pay on 2nd April, 1919, and no reason is seen for according him preferential treatment. The Jerram scale of pension is applicable only to men who have completed the qualifying period of service for the award of a long service pension. Owing to a break in his service from 8th October, 1906, to 5th December, 1907, inclusive, Beattie can only show 20 years 66 days of pensionable service towards the 22 years necessary in his case, and is consequently ineligible for the improved scale. His pension has therefore been increased to £49 1s. a year under the ordinary disability scale, his invaliding in 1911 having been due to a non-attributable cause, but it is possible that he may be eligible for consideration with a view to further increase should certain proposals now under consideration be sanctioned. 1046W Beattie was not informed that his ineligibility for the Jerram scale of pension was due to his demobilisation prior to 1st May, 1919, this date having no bearing on pension.