HC Deb 13 October 1942 vol 383 cc1463-4
4. Lieut.-Colonel Wickham

asked the Secretary of State for War how many brigadiers at present serving, and who have held that appointment for 18 months or longer, are entitled to a colonel's maximum pension and how many to a lieutenant-colonel's pension?

Sir J. Grigg

Of the Regular Army combatant officers at present serving on the active list who have held the rank of brigadier for 18 months or more, 70 per cent. hold the substantive rank of colonel and 30 per cent. the substantive or war substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel. Of the former, slightly under a third would be eligible for the colonel's maximum rate of retired pay if retired now, and of the latter two-thirds would be eligible for the lieutenant-colonel's maximum rate. It is not in the public interest to give actual numbers. As the rate of retired pay varies with age, service and substantive or war substantive rank on retirement, the rates of retired pay eventually awarded to these officers may be considerably in excess of their present entitlements.

Lieut.-Colonel Wickham

Does not the present position conflict with the recently established principle whereby officers enjoy substantive rank immediately below the rank which they held temporarily for a certain period?

Sir J. Grigg

I know that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind the special case of brigadiers, which is not a rank, and the substantive rank for brigadier is therefore lieutenant-colonel and not colonel. I know that my hon. and gallant Friend has that question in mind, and I shall be glad to discuss it with him at his convenience.

5. Lieut.-Colonel Wickham

asked the Secretary of State for War how many substantive colonels who have earned the colonel's maximum pension have been retired and their services retained during the period 3rd September, 1939, to 3rd October, 1942; and how many brigadiers have been retired as lieutenant-colonels and their services retained as brigadiers during the same period?

Sir J. Grigg

Of the substantive combatant colonels retired during the period 3rd September, 1939, to 3rd October, 194a, with the colonel's maximum rate of retired pay, 38 have been re-employed since retirement, but the re-employment has not in all cases been continuous from date of retirement. One officer has been retired as a lieutenant-colonel when holding a brigadier's appointment and reemployed since retirement as a brigadier.