§ 41. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Article 679 (b) of the Royal Warrant for Pay of the Army, 1940, which provides that an officer who retires voluntarily before he has served for three years in his highest permanent rank only qualifies his widow in the event of his death for a pension in the next lower commissioned rank held, and that this does not apply to the widows of officers of the Royal Navy or the Royal Air Force; and, in view of the policy that all officers of the three Armed Services are to be treated the same in regard to retired pay and pensions, if he will end this anomaly and bring the Army into line with the other two Services in this respect.
40W
§ Mr. SoamesYes. The rule will be amended. It applies only to widows of Army officers who retired voluntarily before 1st September, 1950. The revised rate of pension will be effective from 1st January, 1958, and will be issued as soon as possible. No applications from the widows concerned will be required.