§ 72. Mr. Callaghanasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what decision has been reached in the review of the court-martial proceedings against Lieut.-Commander Alistair Mars, Royal Navy; and, in particular, if he will receive his full gratuity.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe review of the proceedings of the court-martial is not yet complete and I am unable to announce any decision. An officer who is dismissed from Her Majesty's Service is not entitled to the retired pay or gratuity which would have been granted had he retired at the normal age or been permitted to retire voluntarily. He may, however, be awarded, at the discretion of the Admiralty, a compassionate allowance of which the maximum is slightly less than the amount which may be awarded on voluntary retirement.
I shall be prepared, if the findings are maintained, to consider sympathetically the award of such an allowance or gratuity, but it will not be possible to make any payment until the periods prescribed under the Courts-Martial (Appeals) Act have elapsed or any appeal has been determined.