§ Brigadier-General Sir HILL CHILDasked the Secretary of State for War whether every soldier is entitled to one month's leave prior to discharge on completing 21 years' service; and, if so, whether a soldier discharged from hos- 393W pital as unfit for war service after serving 20 years 335 days with the Colours is entitled to receive his full pension as if he had completed his 21 years?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, if he is a re-engaged man, discharged for unfitness due to military service, he would get a service addition to his disability pension from the Ministry of Pensions. If he is not re-engaged for pension, he would get a service pension if granted a disablement pension, but in neither case would the award for service be the same as if he had actually completed 21 years.
Mr. HERBERTasked the Minister of Pensions whether, in the case of Regular soldiers who were discharged before the War, and joined up again in 1914, their five years of service in this War count for long-service pensions?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. If the man was discharged on pension before the War, he drew his pension while serving during the War, and was not entitled to any increase of pension (unless for disability) in respect of his War service. If ho was not a pensioner before the War, his War service is added to his former service, and if the total amounted to 21 years ho would be eligible for pension if he had sufficient qualifying service.