§ 2. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Defence what are the terminal grant and pension of a major-general under 60 years old, retiring on the 1950 code, and on the 1960 code, respectively.
§ Mr. WatkinsonA major-general who has retired under the 1950 code, that is, before 1st January, 1956, after a full career, received retired pay of £1,200 a year and a terminal grant of £1,000. A major-general retiring today under the 1960 code after 34 years' service would receive retired pay of £1,850 and a terminal grant of £5,550.
§ Mr. RidleyI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is it not true that the same sort of comparison exists for all ranks? Can he say why these apparently identical people should receive very different treatment with regard to their pension?
§ Mr. WatkinsonBecause of the general principle that these increases are never made retrospective. That is a very longstanding principle.