§ 5. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for War if there is any Regulation which states that a man who has not less than 14 years' qualifying service 154 and is in receipt of a disability pension of not less than 20 per cent. shall be entitled to a service pension?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)The Regulation to which the hon. Member refers is contained in Army Order 330 of 1918. It provides that a soldier who served in the Army during the Great War and left with between 14 and 21 years' total service, of which at least 14 years reckoned as qualifying service, may be given a service pension provided that he was disabled in the Great War and granted a disability pension by the Ministry of Pensions. If the soldier's total service is less than 18 years, the disability pension must be a permanent one.
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the hon. Gentleman send me a copy of the Regulation?
§ Mr. COOPERYes, Sir.
§ 6. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of any man being recalled to the colours during a time of national emergency, the time served in the Reserve counts as a qualifying service or, if he volunteers for service in such an event when Sections A, B and D have been recalled, does such service count as qualifying towards pension?
§ Mr. COOPERNo, Sir, not if he enlisted after 12th September, 1919, and is therefore governed by the current Regulations.
§ Mr. MACLEANIn the case of any reserve soldier who joined in 1914, does this particular regulation not govern his period of service and any disability which he suffered during the late War?
§ Mr. COOPERIf he joined at the earlier date, his case would be governed by the earlier Regulation.
§ Mr. MACLEANWhat is the earlier date? Is it 1914?
§ Mr. COOPERPrior to September, 1919.