§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that an Army nursing sister can retire at the age of 60, after from 30 to 35 years' service, with a pension of £38 10s. a year, whereas an Army schoolmistress can retire at the age of 50, after 21 years' service, with a pension of £45 10s. a year, will he state why there should be such difference between the treatment of these two classes; and whether he will consider the advisability of improving the conditions of retirement of Army nursing sisters?
MR. J. POWELL WILLIAMSThe facts are not as stated in the question. An Army nursing sister would receive after thirty years' service £35 a year, and if reported as having given special devotion to her duties may receive a higher pension up to a maximum of £50. An Army schoolmistress would receive after 21 years' service £31 19s. 2d., and after 30 years' service £45 13s. a year. The Secretary of State sees no reason to make any change in these conditions.