New clause 18 - Pensions for life
Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill
10:15 am
Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby, Conservative)
First, although I understand the Government's desire to make public pension policies standard, I do not think that the fact that all civil servants have that type of pension is a good justification to impose it on the armed forces. Members of the armed forces have a disproportionately high chance of suffering an untimely and violent death. I do not say that to knock any other public servants, but it is the case. If—God forbid—we were to go to war, we would remember that. Perhaps we do not remember it otherwise. Iraq is a good example of that.
Secondly, because of the chances of untimely and violent death, if there is no clear nominee when servicemen and women die, there will be unhappiness, bitterness, rancour, argument and legal division. I regret that such situations will be chaotic and will not reflect well on the armed forces or the Ministry of Defence. Clarity would be to the advantage of all members of the armed forces who put their lives at risk.