§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Written Answer to the hon. Member for Stretford, Official Report, 27th April, c. 646–7, since he has been able to identify no more than two Army officers who have been deprived of their right to opt for payment of gratuity due to their applications to retire being time-barred, he will now take steps to ensure that these officers are not penalised in this way through no fault of their own and that they have restored to them the right to opt for payment of gratuity.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownSince the premature release of a regular Army officer from the obligations of his commission is at the discretion of the Army Department, the question of a right to retire early and opt for the payment of a gratuity did not arise. Officers who are time-barred are normally required to serve for the full period of their time-bars. If they are later released, the terms of their release must reflect the conditions applicable at that time. These conditions do not now allow for the payment of a gratuity to regular officers after 10 years' service. I should add that of the two Army officers referred to in the Question one no longer wishes to retire prematurely.