HC Deb 15 May 1922 vol 154 cc53-4W
Sir J. HOPE

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether officers now serving in four-battalion regiments, which are to be reduced to a two-battalion establishment, if they are not selected for compulsory retirement but are offered a transfer to another regiment, will, if they do not desire to be so transferred, retain the present rights of officers under the Royal Warrant for pay to be placed on half-pay for a period of five years, or will have to retire from the Army forthwith without receiving the special pecuniary compensation sanctioned by Parliament for officers adversely affected by Army reductions?

Sir R. SANDERS

On reduction of battalions, an officer not specially selected for compulsory retirement may be placed on the half-pay list by the Army Council under Article 308 of the Royal Warrant until an opportunity occurs for his reemployment or until he reaches the age fixed for his retirement, or completes the period involving retirement, but, as in this case, it is intended by the Army Council to offer such officers the opportunity of re-employment by means of transfer to other units, Article 308 of the Royal Warrant is not applicable after such offer of re-employment has been made. Should they refuse the offer of employment thus made, they will have to retire or resign their commissions, and will not receive the special pecuniary compensation which is being given to officers compulsorily retired.

Major GLYN

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any officer who is not compulsorily retired and compensated under the scheme of the War Office resulting from the reduction of the Army as a whole, and of four-battalion regiments to a two-battalion establishment in particular, will have any of his existing rights regarding conditions of half-pay for five years overridden by any new Order; and whether officers who through no demerit are forced to temporarily retire can be assured that the terms and conditions of service on which they joined the Army will not now be changed to their disadvantage?

Sir R. SANDERS

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to-day to a question on this subject asked by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Midlothian and Peebles (Sir J. Hope).