§ 55. Sir PARK GOFFasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the system adopted by the Treasury for the adjustment of retired pay and pensions of the fighting forces; and whether pre-War naval and marine pensioners counted their war service towards additional pension and retired pay or pension of the rank held on demobilisation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLRetired pay and pension in the fighting forces are regulated by the Orders-in-Council, Royal Warrants and Royal Orders of the three services, respectively. As regards the last part of the question, pre-War naval and marine pensioners counted war service in the Navy but not in the Army or Air Force for pension and retired pay purposes. This was endorsed by the House of Commons on the 27th May, 1925, after a full Debate by a majority of 179.
§ Sir P. GOFFWhy was the concession granted to the naval and marine pensioners and refused to others?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA perusal of the Debate on the 27th May, 1925, will give a far more convincing answer than I could attempt to improvise on the spur of the moment.