HC Deb 26 November 1970 vol 807 cc599-600
30. Miss Quennell

asked the Minister of State for Defence what progress has been made by his Department in their review of the regulations relating to the commuting of other ranks' pensions.

36. Mr. George Jeger

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will review the regulations governing the commuting of pensions by ex-Regular members of the Forces to take account of those in employment who need a lump sum rather than an additional income.

Mr. Kirk

Commutation is being looked at as part of a general examination of Forces' Pensions.

Miss Quennell

Does not my hon. Friend realise that that is practically identical to the answer that I was given on 1st December, 1965? Will he not do something to propel this review into some sort of resolution?

Mr. Kirk

My hon. Friend must have overlooked a Written Answer on 7th May, 1969, which set out a whole lot of new rules about commutation. These are the ones that we are looking at.

Mr. George Thomson

In the general examination of pensions to which the hon. Gentleman referred, will he undertake to look sympathetically at the pleas which have been made for raising the widow's pension and bringing it more into line with the pensions of widows of Servicemen of our European Allies?

Mr. Kirk

We are looking at everything.

Miss Quennell

On a point of order. Owing to the wholly unsatisfactory nature of that answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment as early as possible.