§ Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that cadets from Sandhurst and Woolwich enter the service at about 19 years of age, he will consider amending the new 302W pension regulations for Regular officers, so that the sum assessed for these officers on retirement can be calculated from the date of entry, instead of as now from 21 years of age.
§ Mr. LawsonAll commissioned service counts towards the minimum of 20 years necessary to qualify for retired pay. In assessing the retired pay rate, the officer must have given at least the standard service period for his rank in order to qualify for the standard rate for that rank. If he has less than the standard period, the retired pay rate is reduced. It is in reckoning this standard service period that service given before age 21 is not counted. The new retired pay code has been designed for application to all three Services, and this rule has been introduced in order to prevent discrepencies which would otherwise occur. The standard retired pay periods have, however, been so arranged that the officer commissioned before he reaches the age of 21 will normally secure the full retired pay rate on compulsory retirement from any rank.