§ Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the rates of retired pay of lieutenant-colonels in the Army with 25 years' service, and of their equivalent ranks in the Navy and Royal Air Force immediately after the stabilisation in 1934 at 9½ per cent. below basic rates; what are the rates of retired pay of such officers to-day; and what has been the increase in the cost of living since 1934?
2320W
§ Sir K. WoodI take it that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the stabilisation of Service officers retired pay which took effect from 1st July, 1935. On the assumption that the officer had qualified for the maximum rate of retired pay appropriate to his rank the answers to my hon. and gallant Friend's Questions are:
- (1) £543 per annum for officers of all three Services.
- (2) £543 per annum.
- (3) I understand that the index figure of the cost of living on 1st July, 1943, was 200 compared with a figure of 143 on 1st July, 1935.