§ 1. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for Air how many officers who retired before 1958 are in receipt of pensions.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Julian Amery)The number of officers drawing pensions awarded before 4th November, 1958, is 7,366.
§ Dame Irene WardIn view of the fact that the Government have not proposed a further Pensions (Increase) Bill, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend is aware that modern Service men are inclined to judge the value of Government promises by how their predecessors, their grandfathers and fathers, are treated? Is my right hon. Friend aware that the general feeling in the country is that we have done very little and treated these people very shabbily? Therefore, will he make representation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in order that the right type of men will be attracted to the Service and will not feel that their predecessors are not being properly treated in the Services?
§ Mr. AmeryI am well aware of my hon. Friend's views on this subject. I am afraid that I am not in a position to add anything to what the Secretary of State for War and the First Lord of the Admiralty said last December on this subject.