Captain COOTEasked the Secretary of State for War whether disabled soldiers with between 14 and 18 years' service are only entitled to service pension if their disability is considered permanent, whereas disabled soldiers with between 18 and 21 years' service are allowed in any event to draw modified service pension; and, if the reason for the award of a service pension to men with under 21 years' service is in all cases that their disability has cut short their military service, will he say why this distinction is made?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe question of service pension to disabled men with under 21 years' service is under consideration and I hope that a decision will be arrived at shortly.
Captain COOTEasked the Secretary of State for War what Regulations, if any, govern the granting of permission to war- 1296W rant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, to extend their service with a view to qualifying for service pension; and whether he is aware that such permission has been refused in many instances where soldiers have only had a few more days to serve to complete qualifying service?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONAs regards the first part of the question, Sections 84 and 86 of the Army Act and paragraphs 264 to 269 of the King's Regulations govern the re-engagement of soldiers to qualify for pension. As regards the last part, if the hon. and gallant Member is referring to re-engagements to complete 21 years, this is not the case, so far as I am aware.