§ 26. Mr. SULLIVANasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that 1989 Sergeant John Hoy, No. 318021, served in the Army for 24 years; and why his pension is assessed on 19 years' service?
§ Mr. WALSHThis soldier's pension is governed by Army Order 325 of 1919, under which pre-War pensioners who served again during the War are entitled to re-assessment at the new rates, the re-assessed pension being computed on the service rendered up to original discharge to pension, and calculated according to the Rules of Table 5 of the Army Older. Under these rules pension is based on the number of complete years qualifying service, which for this purpose is unforfeited colour service given after attaining the age of 18 years. Although this soldier served for 24 years in all, the amount of service up to his original discharge to pension was 21 years only, of which 19 years reckon as qualifying service under Army Order 325 of 1919. During the War he drew pension in addition to pay, and he is therefore not entitled to count his War service towards increase of pension.
§ Mr. SULLIVANAs this officer joined up at the request of the officials and has served, would not it be reasonable to count his total length of service in computing his pension?
§ Mr. WALSHIt is utterly impossible for me to act differently from the regulations under the Order. It is not within my competence to do so, and I cannot, of my own free will, say it is reasonable to give this man something different from what the regulations have laid down.