HC Deb 13 March 1945 vol 409 cc41-2W
Major Nield

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Regular officers, eligible for retirement and already qualified for the maximum pension in their rank, have been retained for the duration of the emergency; that had they been allowed to retire and been reemployed as R.A.R.O. they would have received a 25 per cent, increase in emoluments; that they cannot now earn any additional pension; and if he will consider either permitting them to retire and be re-employed with increased pay or recommending the award of additional pension or other financial reward for their special service.

Sir J. Griģģ

An officer who is retained on the active list beyond the normal age for retirement and after having earned his maximum pension is in much the same position as the officer who has earned his maximum pension before he is due to retire, and I see no good reason for increasing the emoluments in respect of his current service. The position of officers who have left the Army and are later recalled to serve is different. In this connection I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Manningham-Buller) on 14th November last.