§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Minister of State for Defence what is the current value of each pound paid in pension to an Army officer who was compulsorily retired from the Army in 1959 and who has received no pension increase since.
§ Mr. KirkFifty-nine new pence based on the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices up to November, 1971.
§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will estimate the total cost to public funds of raising the pensions of all Service personnel now retired to their former purchasing power at the time when they were given.
§ Mr. KirkThe pensions of many retired members of the Services have already been restored to their original purchasing power. I estimate that it would cost an additional £16 million per year to restore the original purchasing power of those pensions which are not at present eligible for increases.