Mr. MACLEANasked the Minister of Pensions whether James O'Neill, first 327W service, No. 4391, second, No. 3/7928, Sea-forth Highlanders, who enlisted on the 8th November, 1892, and was discharged on the 1st November, 1908, re-enlisted on the 22nd August, 1914, and was discharged on the 24th December, 1918, has been refused a service pension; whether a man who rejoins the service voluntarily has his reserve time counted as colour service; whether O'Neill's service, including reserve time, totals 20 years and 96 days; and whether he can state the reason for refusing this man his service pension?
§ Lieut.-Colonel STANLEYMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. O'Neill completed his ordinary Army service in 1908 and re-enlisted for the duration of the War in September, 1914. He was not serving during the War on a pensionable engagement, and such men only acquire a right to pension if they complete 21 years' total service. A man who rejoins the Army voluntarily does not have the period spent in the Reserve converted into Colour service, but it does count towards the total of 21 years' service. In this case, counting the Reserve service, O'Neill still has less than the requisite 21 years. His service before the War was exactly 16 years, of which 10 years 109 days were with the Colours, and he served 4 years 94 days during the War.