§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will give full details of the salary scale of a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force after five years' service; and to what extent a flight lieutenant's widow killed in the recent Red Arrow tragedy will receive a pension.
§ Mr. Lambton£2,245 to £2,555 a year (normal scale) for a married flight lieutenant. In addition flying pay of £492 15s. a year may be payable.
The widow of a flight lieutenant who is killed on duty after completing five years' service receives a gratuity from the Ministry of Defence and a War Award pension under the Department of Health and Social Security provisions. She qualifies for a pension from the Ministry of Defence Forces Family Pension Scheme if her husband was serving on a permanent commission and died in service after completing 10 years from age 18.
Of the three widows involved, all are eligible for a War Award and a gratuity, and one will receive, in addition, a pension under the Forces Family Pension Scheme.