§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office Pensions Committee is sitting with a view to the reduction of the rank and file pensions; if so, will the vested interests of serving soldiers be safeguarded; and, as a soldier usually serves twenty-one years to qualify for pension, will the reduced pension scale not come into operation until 1032 in order that the vested interests of men joining in 1911 may be safeguarded?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe Committee to which the hon. Member refers was appointed to consider whether, consistently with the requirements of military efficiency and due recognition of the vested rights of those now serving, any steps can be taken to reduce the present and future charges for pensions of warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men; and accordingly any changes which may be deemed desirable will he made with due recognition of the vested rights of those now serving.