HC Deb 26 April 1920 vol 128 cc876-7W
Captain BOWYER

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an ex-Regular soldier, granted a temporary commission from the ranks, has lately received official tidings from the War Office, in reply to his claim for a pension of £150, that he is only eligible for a pension of £73 10s. a year, for the following two reasons: first, that he was discharged the day before his commission was gazetted, this making a break in his service, and, secondly, that Army Order 159, of May, 1918, which entitles a man to the higher rate of pension, did not affect him as his commission was dated prior to May, 1918; that this ex-soldier, although his time of service was not fully completed, was forced by Regulation to be discharged before he could obtain a commission; and whether he will remove both these injustices, first by ensuring that a discharge of this nature does not constitute a break in service, and, secondly, by making Army Order 159 retrospective?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

I will gladly enquire into this case if the hon. and gallant Member will give me particulars, and will communicate further with him.