§ Sir Nicholas BonsorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis Royal Navy captains retire on a one-star pension after six years in the rank; what compensation for the loss of this pension increment was allowed for in the current round of redundancies; how many of those made compulsorily redundant at the rank of captain has completed six years in the rank; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIn accordance with the current (and long-standing) pay arrangements for Royal Navy officers, Royal Naval captains who attain six years seniority in that rank automatically receive the pay, and thus retire with the pension benefits, related to one star rank in the Army and RAF. Only those captains selected for redundancy who had attained six years seniority would receive redundancy benefits based on the higher pay rates as the redundancy compensation scheme, although it includes a payment to compensate for lost career, does not include specific provision for taking into account future pay or pension increases. In the first phase of the Royal Navy redundancy programme, which covers the period from 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993, none of the captains selected for complusory redundancy will have completed more than six years in the rank by the end of this period. Six captains who applied to be considered and were selected for redundancy will have over six years seniority. In the second phase, which covers the period from 1 April 1993 to 30 November 1993, three of the captains selected for complusory redundancy have completed more than six years in the rank or will have done so by the final date. Five captains who had applied to be considered will also fall into this category.