HC Deb 28 July 1881 vol 264 cc16-7

MAJOR GENERAL BURNABY, who read his Question in full, amid considerable interruption, asked the Secretary of State for War, If the following statement is substantially correct, viz.:— Many Colonels have asked the Secretary of State for War to define their exact position and income on compulsory retirement, inasmuch as they wish to understand at once, whether it is better for them to hold office and appointment up to the latest date offered, or to retire on their 59th birthday. The only reply, so far, has been that on their compulsory retirement they will be informed of the amount of pension, &c. which will be granted; and, if he can state to the House what will be the exact financial position of such of those officers who held saleable commissions on the 1st of November 1871, when their time comes for compulsory retirement from their Regiment or from the Army?

MR. CHILDERS

Sir, I am sorry the hon. and gallant Gentleman should have taken the trouble to read his Question. It is one of a very ordinary character, and appears in full on the Paper. In reply to the first part of the Question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I have to say that the paragraph in the newspaper which he has quoted does not state the whole case. Any colonel, who may either retire at once or wait until he is compulsorily retired, can ascertain exactly the retired pay he can now get, and the formula for calculating the rate of compulsorily retired pay; but it may be impossible in many cases to calculate now the exact amount of the latter, which will depend on the circumstances at the time of his retirement with reference to non-employment, and also to the prospects of reaching the major-general's list. I have given instructions that all the information possible may be given to colonels who apply, to assist them in making their election. As to the second part of the hon. and gallant Member's Question, I can only say that the exact position of colonels on retirement is clearly defined in Articles 972 and 978 of the new Warrant. No rights under the Act of 1871 are affected in any way.