§ Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence how he explains the disparity between the pension of a major who retired in 1942 and one who retired in 1952.
§ Mr. BirchI regret that the answer I gave to my hon. Friend's Question No. 99 [Hansard, c.220—Written Answers] on Tuesday, 8th December, was inaccurate. The correct answer is as follows:
I regret that I cannot give averages. Majors who retired in 1922 and 1932 on the maximum rate for their rank now draw £440 a year; those who retired in 1942 £457 10s. a year; and those who retired in 1952 £500 a year. These figures would be increased in the case of officers who retired before the late war but were re-employed during it.
The figures for 1922, 1932 and 1942 retirements take into account "automatic" increases under the Pensions (Increase) Schemes of 1944–47, but not any "hardship" increase for which an officer
— National Insurance benefits National Assistance Approximate increase for Estimated additional annual cost £ million Estimated annual saving £ million Single rate Married rate For all benefits For retirement pensions only For all benefits For retirement pensions only Now In 25 years Now In 25 years s. d. s. d. On July 1948 basis 1 3 6 13 23 10 18 3 2 On October 1946* basis … … 4 0 4 9 51 90 37 68 13 10 * These figures are based on the pension rate of 26s. (single) and 42s. (married) introduced in October, 1946. Lower rates were in payment under the Acts in force at that date for other benefits.
§ Mr. Gaitskellasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what increase in standard weekly benefits would be required, using the London and Cambridge Economic Service Index of Retail Prices, to restore the real value of the benefits to that obtaining in July, 1948, when the National Insurance Act came into operation, and in October, 1946, when the increased pensions became pay-
284Wmay qualify under these schemes and that of 1952.