§ 2. Mr. Swinglerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will circulate in HANSARD a list of all forms of pensions and retired pay which are the responsibility of the Service Departments, showing in each case by what percentage the rates have been increased since 1945.
§ Mr. SwinglerDo not these figures show conclusively the absolute justice of the claim of retired officers to an increase in retired pay; and how long do the Government propose callously to disregard the pleas of the very distinguished officers who recently wrote to "The Times "?
§ Mr. BirchThat is the subject of a subsequent Question.
Following is the statement:
Army ranks are given for convenience. For corresponding ranks and periods of service in the Navy and R.A.F. the position is identical.The chief improvement of the 1950 revision of service non-effective awards was the addition of a lump sum terminal grant on retirement or discharge: this improvement is not reflected in the percentage increase in the retired pay or pension, but is shown separately below.Except for certain special categories, the rates of disability awards, and of awards to widows and dependants where death is due to service, are identical with those paid by the Ministry of Pensions, and on this matter I would refer to the Written answer given by the Minister of Pensions on 29th January. The following tables give the percentage increases since 1945 in the main forms of retired pay and pension awarded in respect of service.