§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that confusion is constantly arising owing to there being two authorities dealing with military and naval pensions, more especially owing to the difficulty of deciding where the functions of the War Office or Admiralty end, and those of the Ministry of Pensions begin; and whether, in view of the interdependence of service and disability pensions, he will consider the possibility of the administration of the whole matter, 1279W including wound, disability, and service pensions, being transferred to the Ministry of Pensions?
Mr. SONAR LAWI am aware that some inconvenience has been caused by the fact that service and disability pensions, and, in the case of officers, wound pension and disability retired pay, are concurrently payable in the case of disabled Regulars. It would not, however, be possible to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion as the Service Departments alone, as employers, can properly say on what basis the reward of service is to be given. Arrangements are, however, being made which will, I hope, simplify the matter.