HC Deb 26 January 1954 vol 522 cc216-7W
Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for War how many commissioned officers were promoted from the ranks, from the universities and from the military colleges, respectively, for the five years 1948 to 1952.

Mr. Head

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question on this subject on 21st May last year, in which I gave the various categories of the intake of Regular officers expressed as percentages.

The table below sets out in similar form the corresponding numbers in these five years.

of a 40 per cent. disability pension, is allowed 3s. per week to maintain his child and 4s. per week to maintain his wife, and that since Mr. Hamm's dis- ability completely prevents him working he is dependent on the Assistance Board; and what action the Minister proposes to take to relieve the plight of this ex-Regular soldier.

Mr. Head

As the hon. Member knows, this case has often been reviewed and Mr. Hamm was last medically examined in April last year. On medical advice, he is not regarded as completely unable to work and the degree of his disablement attributable to military service is assessed at 40 per cent. On this basis he gets a pension of 29s. a week, which includes a family element of 7s.

While, on the present medical opinion, there are no grounds for increasing this pension, arrangements will be made, if Mr. Hamm will let the War Office know that he so wishes, to admit him to hospital for an up-to-date examination of his condition.