§ 66. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Minister of Defence what would be the total cost for the year 1955 of raising the Service retired pay of all officers who retired before September, 1950, to the rates applicable to those who retired after that date; and what the estimated cost would be in 1957, and in 1960, respectively.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanAbout £1,850,000, £1,570,000 and £1,200,000, respectively.
§ Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Defence how many retired officers and other ranks pensioners of the three Services are at present drawing retired pay or pensions at rates fixed before 1919; in how many cases the rates were fixed in 1877, 1881, or 1887, respectively; and by what percentages the original purchasing values of these rates have declined since they were fixed.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanAbout 50 officers and 520 other ranks of the Royal Navy, the Army, and the former Indian Armed Forces, are at present drawing retired pay or pensions at rates fixed before 1919, without increase under the various pensions increase schemes. The years 1877, 1881 and 1887 though they represent the 285W dates of successive Army warrants, have no application to naval awards. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 8th July, 1953, by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury. I am sending him a copy.