HC Deb 21 February 1924 vol 169 cc1950-1
7. Captain RAMAGE

asked the Minister of Pensions, if, when dealing with revision of the scale of pensions in the case of Army-pensioner ranker officers, he will also undertake to consider the position in this respect. of those officers who, having served for various periods before the War as soldiers or non-commissioned officers in the Regular Army without having qualified for service pensions, rejoined the Army on the outbreak of War and were subsequently awarded commissions, thus, in several cases, completing 21 years' service in all?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Major Attlee)

I have been asked to reply. The class of case to which I understand the hon. and gallant Member to refer was provided for by the Royal Warrant for Pay, &c., published as Army Order No. 446 of 1920, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. Under the provisions of that warrant a soldier who has served in the Regular Army and on promotion to a temporary commission had not 21 years' service, is allowed to add his service as a temporary officer to his service in the ranks, so as to complete the necessary period for pension, namely, 21 years.

Mr. N. MACLEAN

Seeing that there is a large number of new Members of the House, will the hon. and gallant Member send a copy of that warrant to them, so that they will be acquainted with it when similar cases came up?

Major ATTLEE

I will send a copy to any hon. Member who applies for it.

Forward to