§ 8. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Minister of Pensions under what authority payment of service pension to invalided Royal Marines is not payable until after 14 years' service, observing that under the terms of Item 15 of the Admiralty Fleet Order No. 2359/1920 provision is made for all continuous service men after 10 years' service, and no distinction is made between seamen and marines?
Mr. ROBERTSThe Admiralty Fleet Order referred to was, I understand, intended, as indeed its terms clearly in- 2432 dicate, to define the rates of pension to be paid in the various cases dealt with, and not to introducce any change in the conditions of eligibility for life pension. Non-continuous service ratings and marines have always been required to render 14 years' service to qualify, and accordingly service allowances are awarded only in respect of such minimum period of service.