HC Deb 27 July 1955 vol 544 cc165-6W
117. Sir E. Errington

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the total amount of money made available annually for the award of compassionate pensions for good service to permanent Regular officers who are in need or who have met with misfortune; how many such pensions have been issued in each year between 1949 and 1955; what is the highest and lowest amount paid; and how many of the recipients were in receipt of Service retired pay.

Mr. F. Maclean

Up to £5,000 a year. The number of new awards made in each year has been: 1949, 28; 1950, 9; 1951, 5; 1952, 2; 1953, 22; 1954, 24; and 1955. 1. (Further new awards still to be made.)

Of the ninety-one awards made, seventy-nine were to officers in receipt of Service retired pay. The highest pension awarded is £130 a year, the lowest £40 a year. At present a total of about seventy-five pensions are being issued.