§ 24. Colonel YATEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will consider the question of the treatment of serving officers who have completed their service for pension, and are retained in the service on account of the War, in being compelled to serve on a less rate of pay than that drawn by officers who were retired before the War and who are now drawing their pension in addition to their pay; and what steps the Army Council proposes to take to place all officers who have completed their service on an equal footing'
§ Mr. FORSTERI think the hon. and gallant Member is referring to officers who are retained beyond the age limits nominally applicable. Liability to such retention during war has always been a condition of the officers' service. I may point out that by such retention they may earn a higher rate of pension, whereas a retired officer recalled gets no increase of pension for the additional service rendered. It is not proposed to alter these arrangements during the present War.
§ Colonel YATEHas not the time come when the Army should be treated as a whole, and the same principle as is applied to the men should be applied to the officers?
§ Mr. FORSTERWhen the rules which apply to the men do apply to the officers in other respects, then I think that there would be of course a logical case for giving equal treatment. In this case, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows perfectly well, there is no definite period for which officers engage, and there is a definite period for which men engage.
§ Colonel YATEIn the case of quartermasters and others who are promoted from the ranks and earn the maximum pension in a certain time and can get no more, is it not fair that they should be allowed to draw their pensions and their salaries?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo; I do not think so. The circumstances differ fundamentally.