§ Lord Balnielasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will introduce legislation to amend the law so as to allow a retired naval rating, who is unfit but not in receipt of a disability pension, to commute part of his pension.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuNo. Legislation would not be required to amend the regulations, but the health of pensioners232W is a factor which affects the actuarial value of the pension. In borderline cases we may be able to offer commutation at a rate which takes account of the poorer expectancy of life; but in most cases we cannot offer terms which would satisfy an unfit pensioner without penalising his healthy fellow-pensioner, and there are other difficulties.