Officers (Retirement Pensions)

12.

Mr. Ashton
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what, in percentage terms, was the last increase in the retirement pensions of officers of general rank and their equivalents in other services.

Mr. Wiggin
Under the annual uprating arrangements for public sector pensions, increases of between 0·76 per cent. and 9·06 per cent. were paid from 23 November 1981 to all Armed Forces pensioners over the age of 55.

Mr. Ashton
Why should the well-off brass hats get 9 per cent. when workers in defence industries are expected to take 4 per cent. next year? Why do Conservatives look after the generals so well and ignore the shop floor labourers?

Mr. Wiggin
That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

Mr. Bill Walker
Does my hon. Friend agree that there are problems over the pay and pensions of two-star generals and above, since they are not included in the determination of pay and pensions for the rest of the Services? That should be investigated.

Mr. Wiggin
I take note of what my hon. Friend says.