§ 2. Lieut. Commander Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will amend the existing regulations governing the extended service scheme for aircrew so as to provide that in the case of the death of an airman, whilst serving on the Regular portion of an extended service engagement, a proportionate part of the gratuity which would have been due to him on the normal expiration of his service may be paid to his heirs.
§ Mr. A. HendersonGratuities are normally payable on completion of the requisite number of years service. This applies to all forms of resettlement gratuity in all three Services. In these 1162 circumstances, I regret that I cannot take a unilateral decision in this matter.
§ Lieut. Commander HutchisonIs it not rather hard that the dependants of an airman killed on duty are excluded from receiving any part of this gratuity?
§ Mr. HendersonYes, Sir, I think it is hard, but it has always been the rule that no payment should be made in the event of death before the date of qualification, and that is a rule that I cannot alter unilaterally.
§ Lieut. Commander HutchisonWould the right hon. and learned Gentleman look into this further, because this rule only applies to the Air Force, and does not apply to the other Services?
§ Mr. HendersonIt applies to soldiers, sailors or airmen killed on duty before the date on which they would otherwise qualify for a gratuity.