HC Deb 29 February 1940 vol 357 cc2283-4W
Sir C. Rawson

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of Petty Officer Dark, R.N., of Haywards Heath, who served in the Royal Navy for 24 years, was then retired to the Royal Naval Reserve and became a postman, who was called up at the outbreak of war and lost his life on His Majesty's ship "Courageous," and whose widow has been granted a naval pension of 25s. 6d. for herself, and 5s. for her child; whether he is aware that Petty Officer Dark's widow has been informed that, as he was drawing an Admiralty pension, he was not entitled to a civil pension towards which he became a voluntary subscribed under the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act; and whether he will look into this case and remedy the hardship involved?

Mr. Elliot

I am afraid that by express provision in the Contributory Pensions Acts a widow's pension under those Acts is not payable in such circumstances as those of the case to which my hon. Friend refers. The contribution payable under the Acts does not cover deaths arising from hostilities in time of war.