Clause 1 - Pension and compensation schemes: armed and reserve forces

Part of Armed Forces(Pensions and Compensation) Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 4:30 pm on 10 February 2004.

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Photo of Gerald Howarth Gerald Howarth Shadow Minister (Defence) 4:30, 10 February 2004

I am minded to stick to a determination to press new clause 17 at the appropriate moment, for all the reasons that I have given. It would delay the coming into force of the new schemes until April 2007.

After this sitting, I should like the Minister to consider the fact that serious issues are as yet unresolved. There are discussions to be had, whether through the chain of command, through the internet, as the hon. Member for Crosby has suggested, or through an independent financial adviser. There are lots of issues, but the Government are trying to cram too much into too small a period, particularly given the extensive operations that our armed forces are currently undertaking.