§ 14. Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallettasked the Secretary of State for War what decision has been taken with regard to participation by Army personnel in the National Insurance graduated pensions scheme.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. John Profumo)Officers and men who are likely to qualify for service retired pay or pension will be contracted out of the scheme; all other officers and men will participate in it.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettMay we assume that the action to be taken in respect of officers and men who retire before they qualify for pension will be the same as that which has already been announced for the other branches of the public service? Has any estimate yet been made of the cost which is likely to be added to the Estimates in future?
§ Mr. ProfumoOn the last part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, I cannot give him any estimate without notice, nor do I believe that we could find a way of working it out. I assure him that if officers or soldiers who have been contracted out leave without retired pay or pension the War Office will make a payment in lieu of the contributions to the National Insurance Fund.