§ 107. Mr. Roebuckasked the Secretary of State for Defence why he does not allow the pensions of former non-commissioned officers and airmen to be paid into banks in the same manner as those of former officers; and whether he will review the matter.
§ Mr. ReynoldsWe have been carrying out a review of this matter for all three Services over recent years, and this is now almost complete. The Army has been offering this method of payment to certain pensioners since 1st January this year and hopes to be able to extend the offer in the near future. The Navy will be offering the same option to a limited number of pensioners as from 1st July this year and also intends to extend the offer in due course. As in the other Services, former warrant officers in the R.A.F. already have the option of being paid through their bank accounts and arrangements are in hand for this option to be extended to other airmen.