§ Mr. Matherasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will extend the buying in facility for Armed Forces pensions to all those who had retired before 31st March 1973 and for the payment of the short-term pensions to all those who may be bereaved in the future, irrespective of the date of retirement of their husbands.
§ Mr. JuddThe provision for buying in for half-rate widows' pensions and the payment of full rates of pay or pension to widows for 91 days after the husband's death will apply in all cases where the husband's death or retirement from the Service occurred after 31st March 1973. It is not the practice to apply improvements in public service pensions retrospectively.