78. Sir F. HALLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will say what are the pensions at present granted to naval officers; when were they fixed; whether, owing to the increased cost of living, it is intended to increase them; and whether, in the event of such increase being made, it will be made retrospective to officers who have already retired from the Service?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The scales of pensions of naval officers will be found on pages 2264 to 2280 of the Quarterly Navy List. They are lengthy and complicated. I will send my hon. and gallant Friend copies of the 1428 pages in question. The scales were originally laid down in 1870, and form the basis of the present rates, though improvements have since been made in certain respects. The question, generally, has engaged the attention of the Officers' Pay Committee.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Committee of the Board will meet to-morrow. I cannot anticipate any decisions they may arrive at.
Sir F. HALLMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman and the Admiralty are going to bring forward any question with regard to the pre-war pensions that were fixed for these naval officers, and whether, in consequence of what is stated in my question, they will propose any increase?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI must ask for notice of that. I cannot give any undertaking.