§ 1. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for War what consideration he has given to improving the rates of retired pay and pensions of those officers and men who are drawing retired pay or pensions at rates fixed before 1914.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)I am aware of the position but have nothing to add to the written statement made on 9th March by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence in reply to a Question from my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Captain Kerby).
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the Minister not aware how unsatisfactory that answer is? In view of the completely obsolete nature of the rates of these pensions, the purchasing power of which is now a quarter of what it was originally, surely it should be possible for the Minister to wage a little battle with the Treasury on behalf of this very small group of Army pensioners?