Mr. De la Bèreasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in connection with the four years' short-service commission of officers in the Royal Air Force who extend their period for a further two years, making the period six years in all, he is aware of the hardship caused to the widows in such cases where these officers lose their lives on active service; and, since they would have been entitled to £300 as a gratuity after four years' service, will he take steps to ensure that their widows should receive this amount or more?
§ Captain BalfourThe gratuity referred to by my hon. Friend is apart from the entitlement under the regulations to pension and allowances of widows and dependants of deceased officers, and is intended primarily to assist the resettlement of officers in civil life. Entitlement to this gratuity, therefore, ceases on death, and an extension of service to six years does not alter this condition. Similar conditions apply in the Army and Navy.