§ Sir A. Southbyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any alterations are contemplated in the scale of allowances for the widows and dependants of naval ratings whose deaths are attributable to the Service?
§ Mr. ShakespeareIt has been decided to increase the pensions payable to the widows of all ratings and marines of the Royal Navy, entered in the United Kingdom and the Dominions, whose deaths are attributable to the Service. Under the new scale which will apply to existing and future awards, as from the 1st June this year, the minimum pension for a widow under 40 years of age without children will in future be 15s. 6d. a week instead of 10s. 6d.; the minimum pension for a widow over 40 years of age or under that age with children will be 22s. 6d. a week instead of 17s. 6d. Children's allowances will remain at 5s. a week for each child and additions for rank, ranging from Is. 6d. to 7s. 6d. a week, will also remain unchanged. Those already in receipt of pensions will receive1540W the increased rates without further application.