§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the outcome of the tri-Service discussions about the proposed ending of gratuities for short-service officers contrary to their original terms of engagement.
§ Mr. DuffyI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 15th November 1976.—[Vol. 919, c.365].
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many short-service officers who left the Armed Forces after March 1975 preferred to accept the old gratuity, and how many the new preserved pension.
§ Mr. DuffyMost short-service officers are not pensionable and receive only gratuities. Of a limited number of aircrew officers in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force who have had the choice described, all have opted for gratuities.