§ 3. Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will seek to revise pension arrangements for the Armed Forces to ensure that those who retire voluntarily are no worse provided for than those who are compulsorily retired.
§ The Minister of Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Christopher Mayhew)No, Sir. It is the normal principle with public service pensions that voluntary retirement before normal retirement age does not attract a fully proportionate pension immediately.
§ Mr. YoungerDoes not the Minister think that it is a little odd that at present a Serviceman whose job is threatened with redundancy and who therefore feels that he must leave the Service reasonably soon suffers a reduction in pension, whereas a similar Service man who is unsuitable for further employment and is retired suffers no reduction?
§ Mr. MayhewIf the service of the first man is needed but nevertheless he retires, it is fair that there should be a reduction in his pension.
§ Mr. RoyleWhy could not the Secretary of State for Defence have so arranged his programme that he could answer Questions of which there are 34 addressed to him today? Is it not a great discourtesy to the House that he is not here?
§ Mr. MayhewThe House should recognise the importance of the journey which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is making and give him the requisite leave.