asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans to increase the amount of the pension payable to retired Army privates; if he will arrange that those pensions be paid weekly rather than monthly; and if he will introduce an arrangement whereby a retired Army private can sell his pension rights to his Department in return for a lump sum.
Written Answers. - Retired Army Privates' Pensions.
54.
Soldiers' pensions are increased as a result of increases in Army pay, whether such increases arose out of a general pay increase or a revision of pay scales. In this year alone the pensions of private soldiers have been increased on three occasions.
The arrangement for the payment of pensions monthly in arrear is of long standing and follows the practice which applies generally throughout the public service. A change in these arrangements would lead to considerable administration difficulties and would not be feasible. There is no provision in the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes for commuting a soldier's pension and the introduction of such a provision is not contemplated.