§ 3. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much pension, including all increases, is received by a 55-years-old widow of a higher executive officer in the Civil Service who retired in 1958 and died on 3rd November, 1958; and how much it would be if her husband had retired this year and died today, assuming in each case no children and retirement from a London post after maximum service.
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter£214 and £246, respectively.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the widow of an Army captain in similar circumstances whose husband retired this year and died today would receive much the same pension as the higher executive officer, but, on the other hand, if both husbands died on 3rd November, 1958, the captain's widow would receive £72 less? Does he not agree that that makes nonsense of the argument frequently put forward by the Government that these Service pensions cannot be increased because all public servants must be treated alike?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have answered the Question my hon. Friend put down in respect of civil servants. He will appreciate that the question of pensions for the widows of members of the Armed Forces is not a matter for me but for my right hon. Friends the Service Ministers