§ 43. Mr. E. WILLIAMS(for Mr. McENTEE) asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any officer retired from His Majesty's Forces is entitled to receive the benefits of warrants in force at date of enlistment; whether ranker officers retired with the rank of major are prevented from counting for 935 pension colour service under the age of 18; and, if so, at what date has any alteration been made?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)Any 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. With effect from 1st June, 1924, the pay warrant was amended to provide that service in the ranks under the age of 18 should not reckon as service for retired pay. A ranker officer can only reckon such service for retired pay in the rank of major if he was promoted to that-rank before 1st June, 1924.