§ 17. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for War whether the pensions of Service widows, qualifying for pensions under a recently rectified anomaly, will be back-dated to come into line with the other Services.
§ Mr. AmeryThe amended rule about the rate of pension following voluntary retirement, which was announced by my right hon. Friend on 26th February, will be effective from 1st January this year.
We cannot backdate it beyond that.
§ Dame Irene WardCan my hon. Friend explain to me why widows should have to pay for gross maladministration in the War Office? Further, in view of the fact that I got an answer within two days, satisfactory up to a point, can he explain why, when the Officers' Pension Society raised this matter nearly two years ago—after all, the Admiralty and the Air Ministry are in the clear on this—the War Office administration was so slack that it did not even bother to deal with the case? May I have an assurance from my hon. Friend that he will convey these observations to his right hon. Friend and ask him to go to the Chancellor himself and argue in favour of widows and not allowing them to have to bear the burden of maladministration by the War Office?
§ Mr. AmeryI am sorry if there was any delay, but, as can be seen, we did take up the matter, and we were able to make the concession asked for. I am glad that we were able to do so, but the old rule was a recognised condition of 1202 service of the officers concerned, and there is, therefore, no queston of unfair treatment.
§ Dame Irene WardOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Owing to the grossly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.
§ 18. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a further statement on pensions for widows of officers and other ranks who by virtue of age have been unable to qualify for National Insurance pensions.
§ Mr. AmeryI am afraid that I have nothing to add to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend on 12th March.
§ Dame Irene WardIn view of the fact that the Secretary of State and I have been in correspondence for quite a long time, and in view of the undertaking which the hon. Gentleman himself gave me in the debate on the Army Estimates, am I right in assuming that my right hon. Friend is negotiating with the Treasury? If so, will he be very firm with the Treasury? Further, can he say when he will receive a satisfactory reply to remedy the grievances of these really wretched widows for whom we have a responsibility?
§ Dame Irene WardCould I have an answer to my question? On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Should I be in order in raising the two matters on the same Adjournment?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Lady can try, and, if she is in order, she may do so.