§ 31. Lieut.-Colonel APPLINasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will give the rates of retired pay of captains, majors, and lieutenant-colonels of the Royal Malta Artillery at the present time and how they compare with the pre-war rates; whether the cost of living on which those rates are based is comparable with the cost of living in Malta; and will he give an assurance that the retired pay of these officers will not be lower than the retired pay authorised by the royal warrant at the time these officers received their commissions?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)The present rates are not strictly comparable with the pre-war rates since they vary according to length of service and also include a rank element for each year served in the rank of major or lieutenant-colonel. The maximum standard rates are £250 for a captain, £350 for a major, and £480 for a lieutenant-colonel. The maximum rates for these ranks before the War were £200, £300 and £450 2416 respectively. The present rates are not based on the cost of living, but 20 per cent. of these rates is variable for changes in the cost of living at home. With regard to the last part of the question, an officer serving on the active list of the Army under a permanent regular commission at the time of an amendment to the pay warrant has the right on retirement to the rates in force on the day before the date of the amendment in accordance with the substantive rank he held on that day.
§ Lieut.-Colonel APPLINIs my hon. Friend aware that his excellency the Governor of Malta ma—de very strong representations to the Army Council on the grievances of these officers, and will he inquire further into the grievances from which they think they are suffering?
§ Mr. COOPERI have inquired very deeply into this case, and I am well aware that the officers consider that they are suffering under a grievance. I think they have a strong case, but unfortunately it is not in my power to rectify it.