§ Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Pensions what provision has been made, in respect of the crew of the steam trawler "Star of Scotland, "for the dependants of the two members of the crew who were killed and for the two members of the crew who were injured by enemy action on 19th December last; and how the two first payments abovementioned compare with such payments as would have accrued to the dependants under the Workmen's Compensation Acts?
§ Sir W. WomersleyOne of the two members of the crew who were killed left a. widow with one child. The widow has been awarded a pension of 22s. 6d. a week with an allowance of 5s. a week in respect of the child; a total of 27s. 6d. a week. It is not possible to compare awards made under the Mercantile Marine Scheme with those which might have been made under the Workmen's Compensation Acts where these Acts are applicable, as any award under these Acts would have been in the form of lump sums and not of continuing pension. No application has been received from any dependant of the other man who lost his life. Awards in respect of war injury have been made to four, not two, members of the crew, at rates varying from 27s. a week to 54s. 2d. a week.
§ Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Chief Engineer James Scott Morrison, of the steam trawler "Dunedin, "Aberdeen, who went down with that vessel when sunk by enemy action, on 19th January last, left young children, aged 13 and 14, who are now orphans looked after by their sister, aged 23, who gave up work to act as housekeeper when the mother died in 1938; that no provision has been made for any allowance in respect of this sister; and whether he will expedite a decision?
§ Sir W. WomersleyAn award of 20s. has been made to the adult sister of the children in respect of the two children. No grant of pension is permissible under the terms of the Order in Council in respect of the adult sister herself.