HC Deb 18 December 1919 vol 123 cc693-4W
Colonel ASHLEY

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that men in receipt of pre-war pensions as warrant or non-commissioned officers who won the Military Cross in the War after being promoted to temporary commissions, are being denied on demobilisation the extra pension of 6d. a day which is granted to warrant officer recipients of the Cross on the ground that they earned the distinction as commissioned officers; and whether, in view of the fact that they are not entitled to retired pay as officers, but may only have their pensions re-assessed according to their pre-war rank as warrant or non-commissioned officers under Amy Order 325, of 1919, he will consider the grant to them of the extra 6d a day, seeing that paragraph 9, Table 5, of the Army Order in question clearly states that soldiers granted pensions under this warrant will remain eligible for the additional pension awarded in respect of gallant conduct provided for in Article 1167, Pay Warrant.

Mr. CHURCHILL

The grant of decorations to officers does not carry any monetary reward, and I regret I cannot agree to any departure from the rule.