§ LORD JEFFREYSMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what would be the annual cost of restoring to all officers, who retired under the provisions of the Royal Warrant and corresponding instruments of 1919, the basic rates of retired pay of 1919 plus 20 per cent. as provided in those instruments.]
§ THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (EARL ALEXANDER OF TUNIS)My Lords, I am afraid that the information for which my noble and gallant friend asks involves a great deal of research into a number of individual cases of retired officers. For this reason I regret that I am not in a position to let him have it to-day. If the the noble Lord cares to put down another Question in a week's time, I hope that I shall then be able to give him an approximate estimate.
§ LORD JEFFREYSMy Lords, in thanking my noble friend for his answer, may I say that I will accept his suggestion, and put down a further Question in a week's or a fortnight's time?