This Bill provides that service pensions and disability pensions payable under the Connaught Rangers (Pensions) Acts, 1936 to 1953, shall be increased by 15 per cent. This is the percentage appropriate to pensions not exceeding £100 under the scale of increases generally applicable in respect of other classes of State pensions. In no case do pensions affected by this Bill exceed £100. It is not necessary therefore to set out a scale of increases.
The increases became effective from 1st August, 1956. They are being paid since that date on the authority of a Supplementary Estimate for pensions approved on the 25th July, 1956. The estimated annual cost is £194 and provision for this expenditure has been made in the Army Pensions Estimate for the current year. The Bill is, of course, necessary in order to give statutory authority for the increases.
I do not think I can usefully say more unless, of course, any Senator wishes to raise a point.
