§ 19. Mr. Basil Nieldasked the Secretary of State for War if he will ensure that officers who have held a certain rank for a substantial period and are, without fault on their part, reduced in rank shortly before release shall be paid their gratuity and release leave pay on the basis of their higher rank.
§ Mr. BellengerThe regulations already provide a suitable safeguard. In such cases, an officer's pay during release leave is assessed on the highest rank held during the 12 months immediately preceding release; his gratuity is assessed on the 769 highest paid rank held during the war for an aggregate period of six months, assuming this is more favourable than an assessment based on his final substantive or war substantive rank.
§ Major PooleWill the Minister now consider implementing the reforms which he has undertaken for so long, of abolishing the acting rank in the Army and its conversion to temporary rank after being held for a period?
§ Mr. BellengerSpeaking from memory, something like that is at present under consideration, or being put into practice.