HC Deb 04 June 1924 vol 174 c1226
20. Sir T. BRAMSDON

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that certain warrant officers who are now in receipt of naval pensions will suffer hardship when the 5½ per cent. deduction on their pensions becomes operative in July next, in so far that they will be receiving a lesser amount after the reduction takes place than they would be receiving had they been pensioned as chief petty officers; and will he state whether these officers will be placed on a rate of pension not less than that earned by their service as petty and chief petty officers, etc., in addition to the augmentations from Greenwich Hospital funds?

Mr. AMMON

I presume that the hon. Member refers to certain pensioned ratings who were given temporary acting warrants during the War. If so, I may say that it is intended to review these cases specially after the general reassessment of retired pay has been undertaken and give each of the men concerned a definite option between retired pay as an officer and pension as a rating. Those who elect pension as a rating will be eligible for the usual augmentations from Greenwich Hospital funds on attaining age 55 and age 65.

Major Sir BERTRAM FALLE

Is it not a fact that no post-War pensions will be made smaller than pre-War pensions by this scheme?

Mr. AMMON

That is so.