§ 94. Sir B. Neven-Spenceasked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider amending the Pensions (Navy, Army, Air Force and Mercantile Marine) Act, 1939, the War Pensions and Detention Allowance Mercantile Marine Scheme, 1941, and the Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Act, 1942, so that merchant seamen who suffered aggravation of organic disease through war service shall receive treatment no less favourable than that accorded to men in the Navy, Army and Air Force.
§ Mr. MarquandThe War Pensions (Mercantile Marine) Scheme, made under the Acts to which the hon. Member refers, already provides compensation for merchant seamen, similar to that granted to a member of the Royal Navy, where there is aggravation of an organic disease as a result of the special risks or conditions arising from the war at sea. For disease arising from the normal conditions of civilian employment at sea and not due to these special war risks or conditions, the ordinary provisions for compensation in such employment apply and I should not be justified in recommending any alteration of this position.