§ Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether wartime service in the Palestine Police Force counts as war service for the purposes of the occupational pension schemes of the public services.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe Government have recently received and accepted legal advice that the part of the Palestine Police Force which was declared200W to be a military force by a proclamation of the High Commissioner on 27 May 1942 formed part of the Armed Forces of the Crown from that date until the ending of the Mandate in Palestine on 15 May 1948. Service in that part of the force between those dates will, therefore, count as war service to the extent allowed by the provisions governing the superannuation arrangements of the public service concerned. Steps are being taken to advise serving staff and pensioners of this decision and to invite all those eligible to apply to have the relevant Palestine Police service taken into account in the calculation of their superannuation benefits. Where necessary, superannuation benefits already granted will be reassessed and the appropriate amount of arrears paid.