§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the differences in the conditions that apply between former Royal Naval officers and warrant officers who wish to commute their Service pensions;
(2) what are the differences in the conditions that apply between former Royal Navy officers and those officers who served in other branches of Her Majesty's Forces, and former Royal Navy warrant officers and those warrant officers who served in other branches, who wish to commute their Service pensions.
§ Mr. JuddThe conditions are the same for all three Services. Subject to medical fitness and at the discretion of the Defence Council, officers may commute up to half of retired pay; other ranks, within six months of discharge, may commute enough pension to raise £1,000 or 25 per cent. of pension, whichever is less. Subject to retaining a weekly minimum pension of £2.50, additional commutation may be granted to other ranks in certain circumstances.