HC Deb 09 May 1944 vol 399 cc1703-4
66 and 67. General Sir George Jeffreys

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that a retired civil servant, if re-employed as an officer in the Army, can continue to draw his civil pension in addition to his Army pay; and whether retired Army officers, when re-employed, will in future be similarly treated and permitted to draw the whole of their retired pay in addition to the pay of their rank or appointment;

(2) whether he has considered the case of retired officers who have been reemployed since 1939, and who will not be eligible for any increase of retired pay or gratuity in respect of their service whilst so re-employed; and whether, in future, such officers will be allowed to count their called-up service for the purpose of calculating retired pay or gratuity.

Sir J. Grigg

I regret that I cannot see my way to accepting either of my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestions. A civil servant normally retires on a pension only for reasons of health or on reaching the age of 6o. In neither case is he likely to be employed as an Army officer, and I do not think there have, in fact, been more than two such cases in the course of the war.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Is there any reason why these officers should not be allowed to draw retired pay which they have already earned, and which people in another Service are allowed to draw?

Sir J. Grigg

If my hon, and gallant Friend is referring to civil servants who are re-employed as civil servants, he is under a misapprehension. There are limitations on the amount of pension which they can draw on re-employment. Re-employed Army officers are given a very definite increase in their current pay in consequence of their not drawing retired pay.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of these officers have been recalled after being away for a very few weeks, so that their service is practically continuous, and, having regard to the fact that they are put to considerable expense in being called back in that way, should not the remaining years of service be added when calculating pension?

Sir J. Grigg

As I have explained, they are given a very considerable addition to their current emoluments in lieu.