§ 66. Lieut.-Commander Maydonasked the Minister of Defence what would be the additional cost of removing the anomaly whereby widows of officers of the Services and their children receive different rates of pension depending on whether the officer died before 4th November, 1958; and whether he will now arrange to pay all such pensions at the 1960 pension rates.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am afraid that I cannot agree that there is any anomaly. Much as I should like to help, I am afraid that I cannot depart from the usual practice, which is not to apply the terms of a new Pension Code to those already on pension at the time of its introduction. The direct cost of adopting my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion would be about £350,000.52W The indirect cost would be far greater. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "No."