HC Deb 09 November 1943 vol 393 cc1072-3
82. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider making such alterations in war-time regulations as will ensure that officers, who are granted a temporary unpaid higher rank for a probationary period of 21 days and who are killed during that period, shall be regarded as holding that rank for the purpose of enabling their widows to draw the higher appropriate pension?

Sir J. Grigg

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave on 21st September to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser).

Sir T. Moore

Will my right hon. Friend not consider the possibility of the War Office giving the benefit of the doubt to these officers and assuming for pension purposes that they justify the confidence that the War Office has placed in them by appointing them, unpaid, to higher ranks?

Sir J. Grigg

That is a question on which a considerable number of Supplementary Questions have been put on a previous occasion. It involves not one consideration only but a good many reactions in other directions, and I do not think it would be very satisfactory to try to dispose of it categorically by means of Parliamentary Questions and answers.

Sir T. Moore

In that case, I wish to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.