HC Deb 21 August 1940 vol 364 cc1322-3W
Sir Smedley Crooke

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the recent increase of 6d. a day in the Service pay of members of the Forces has the effect of reducing grants made by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee?

Sir W. Womersley

No, Sir. As the additional 6d. a day was definitely intended to meet certain increased expenses, it was at once decided that it should be ignored by the War Service Grants Advisory Committee for all purposes.

Mr. Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that retired officers who are re-employed in the present war receive a small addition to their present rank pay and do not receive any of the retired pay to which they are ordinarily entitled by virtue of their previous service and whether, in view of the differences entailed, he will state the reason for this cessation of all retired pay?

Sir E. Grigg

The addition is 25 per cent. The rules, which are fully set out in Article 496 of the Pay Warrant, have been in existence for many years, and are common to all three Defence Services. It is one of the conditions of the grant of retired pay that it ceases when full pay is drawn on compulsory recall under the reserve liability attaching to it or on voluntary re-employment.

Mrs. Adamson

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement about increased allowances to the wives and dependants of the men in the Services?

Sir E. Grigg

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to add anything to the answer he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) on 13th August, of which I am sending the hon. Lady a copy.