HC Deb 14 November 1962 vol 667 cc353-4
8. Commander Pursey

asked the Secretary of State for War the last year in which privates were awarded pensions on the 1919 scale, after 21 years' service; what was the basic pension at that time; what increase has since been paid to privates who left in that year; and what pension is now being paid to them.

Mr. Ramsden

To have been awarded a basic pension on the 1919 scale for 21 years' service, which amounted to 18s. 4½d. a week, a soldier must have been discharged not later than 1940. All these pensioners will by now be over the age of 60: with the age additions granted under the 1919 code and increases under the Pensions (Increase) Warrants of 1944–47, 1952, 1956 and 1959, they will now be receiving £2 6s. 10d. a week, or £2 1ls. 0d. a week if they last enlisted before 10th October, 1925, and are now over the age of 65. These pensions will be further increased following the passage of the new Pensions (Increase) Bill.

Commander Pursey

Will the Secretary of State discuss with the Minister of Defence the question of increasing the basic 1919 pensions, observing that privates pensioned at the age of 40 have to wait twenty years for their 60 years' increase compared with a much shorter period in the public services, and observing that many privates who served in the Second World War have received no increase in their pensions and are drawing pensions of only £1 a week plus, which is the scale established over forty years ago after the First World War, and that in spite of the figures that the Secretary of State continually gives, Army pensioners are still being paid to two decimal points—:53—of a penny?

Mr. Ramsden

I have referred to the increases in these pensions which have been given in the past, and there will shortly be another increase, which will give us an opportunity——

Commander Pursey

Not until they are 60.

Mr. Ramsden

—of debating the points which the hon. and gallant Member has raised. In general, however, we must stand on the principle that we cannot adjust retrospectively the terms of service which give rise to a particular pension.