§ 70. Mr. PARTINGTONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of officers employed at the War Office who are receiving retired pay in addition to the usual pay of the appointment in which they are employed?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe number of officers referred to is eighty-seven.
§ Mr. PARTINGTONCan the right hon. Gentleman kindly explain why these officers receive their retired pay in addition to the pay of their appointment?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs soon as I saw my hon. Friend's question I made a point of looking into it, because I wanted to know myself. I find that the arrangement was made with the concurrence of the Treasury after the South African War. We have already settled that, when a suitable opportunity arises, the whole thing will be reconsidered in the light of our experience in the present War. I think I should tell the House quite frankly that we shall not be in a position to do that for some little time. I very much doubt whether we shall be able to do it before the War is over.
§ Colonel YATEIs there any reason why, if a man has earned his pension, he should be deprived of it if the State further requires his services?
§ Mr. FORSTERThere is no reason whatever why he should be deprived of the pension which he has earned. The whole thing is very complicated, and, as I say, the question will be reconsidered as soon as a suitable opportunity arises.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman do away with that complication by giving a definite order that once a man gets a pension he shall not be deprived of it?
§ Mr. FORSTERHe has not been deprived of it. That is why the question is asked.