asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will reconsider the case of Mr. C. P. Q. Beck, of 13, Westfield Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, who served in the Royal Navy from November, 1928, to November, 1945, became a chief petty officer in June, 1941, received a medal for long and good service, and did not receive, on the termination of his service, the gratuity granted to chief petty officers who took temporary commissions during the last war.

No, Sir. The regulations under which Mr. Beck was released in November, 1945, did not provide for a Service gratuity, and of this he was well aware.

Certain ratings were specially selected for commissions during the war. It was thought inappropriate that they should return to the lower deck in order to complete their time for pension. They were. therefore, given gratuities in lieu. Mr. Beck was not selected for a commission.

Will my hon. Friend take into account the fact that many of the chief petty officers who took temporary commissions served on the aggregate shorter terms than Mr. Beck, and as the number of people in Mr. Beck's category appears to be reasonably small, will he look at the matter again?

I do not think that there is any point in looking at it again. At the end of the war, Mr. Beck could have served for an extra five years to qualify for pension, but he chose not to.

On a point of order. I beg to give notice that I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible date.