§ 13. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for War whether Regular Army serving quartermasters are compelled to retire at 55 years of age during the present emergency?
§ Mr. EdenThe officers referred to are called upon to retire at the age laid down for their retirement, which is, in the majority of cases, 55. They are then eligible for re-employment as retired officers. This follows the practice applying to regular officers generally.
§ Mr. BellengerAlthough I am well aware of that, does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that commanding officers lose the service of specialists who have considerable experience in their jobs, and would it not be preferable to keep selected quartermasters who desire to stay on, without any increase of pension rights?
§ Mr. EdenI do not think the position is as difficult as my hon. Friend suggests, because they can be re-employed. The position of quartermasters is the same as that of other officers, and I should not like to differentiate between them.
§ Mr. BellengerMay I ask whether they can be re-employed as quartermasters?