§ 2. Sir Edward Keelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what is the pension, today, of the widow, without private income, of an Army captain or Royal Naval or Royal Air Force lieutenant whose death was not due to his service; and what was the rate in 1852 and 1914 for the widow of an Army captain or a Naval lieutenant.
§ Mr. Birch£90 a year, if the widow qualifies for Pensions Increase Acts additions. Otherwise it is £50 a year. The corresponding rate in 1852 and 1914 was £50.
§ Sir E. KeelingCan my hon. Friend say when an announcement will be made about an improvement in these pensions, which announcement was promised before Christmas?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that he will get himself into very serious trouble with hon. Members on both sides of the House if he does not keep his promise to make a statement about some improvement in this matter before the Christmas Recess?
§ 4. Sir E. Keelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence by what estimated sum the £2,100,000, which will be the cost in the first year of raising the retired pay of officers who retired before 1st September, 1950, to the rates of those who retired on or after that date, will fall in the following year through death.
§ Mr. BirchOn the hypothesis stated in my hon. Friend's Question, about £65,000 at a very rough estimate.
§ Sir E. KeelingAs these officers are largely old or middle aged, does my hon. Friend agree that in subsequent years the decrease will be still more rapid?
§ Mr. BirchYes; obviously the decrease will increase and will be written off over a period of some 30 years.
Miss WardHas my hon. Friend got any answer from the Treasury? He promised last week to convey my views on this matter to the Treasury, and I should like to know whether he has heard from the Chancellor on this subject.
§ Mr. BirchI did speak to my right hon. Friend, and I think he is very well aware of the hon. Lady's views on this matter.
§ 6. Sir E. Keelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence 1533 whether he is aware that Royal Warrant 111 which applies the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1952, to officers who retired before 1st September, 1950, normally gives no benefit to single officers above the rank of captain or married officers above the rank of major; how many officers will benefit in the first year; and what total increase they will receive.
§ Mr. BirchA number of officers in ranks above Army captain and major, who retired before September, 1950, on less than the standard rates of retired pay then obtaining, will receive the benefit referred to in this Question. As regards the latter part of the Question, the estimated number of officers concerned is 5,550 and the total increase they will receive is about £130,000.