Letter from the Pension Trough Group to
the Chairman (3 November 2003)
Following my letter to you of 27 December 2002
concerning the issue of the "Pension Trough" a number
of ex-servicemen formed the 1976-77 Pension Trough Group to support
the Forces Pension Society in its attempts to remedy the longstanding
injustice forced upon a minority of servicemen by accident of
their date of retirement.
Having only recently discovered the planned
meeting of the Defence Select Committee to scrutinise the Armed
Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS), we have attempted to gain support
from our widely spread Group (currently 87 strong) for the enclosed
petition. Because of the short notice given and postal delays
we have gathered 35 signatories to date. More will follow.
We are all disappointed that the long delayed
revision to the AFPS makes no effort to deal with past legacy
anomalies, despite the continuing interest shown above by your
Committee. Although the Committee's 3rd Report raised the question
of introducing a contributory element into the scheme, the Ministry
of Defence has not done so. The lack of this element, and the
consequent absence of independent trustees for the scheme, perpetuates
a unique and prejudicial disadvantage in that there are no officially
recognised independent representatives to act for members. This
void has been a major cause of the longstanding failure to tackle
legacy issues at a much earlier stage, and is emphasised by the
equally disgraceful delay in tackling compensation for those whose
invaliding pensions have been illegally used. It is doubtful whether
a government department has ever been seen to be so lacking in
its responsibility, care, vigour, concern or conscience. That
the Permanent Secretary of MoD can publicly accept responsibility
at the Kelly enquiry while arguing that he is not culpable illustrates
the attitude that prevails within MoD which obstructs constructive
reform.
I hope the Committee will understand the anger
and betrayal felt by the Pension Trough Group, and in particular
by the widows whose husbands' service has been devalued, demeaned
and discounted by the recent ad hoc awards to unmarried personnel
outside of the rules of the AFPS. These rules have so often been
quoted by MoD as a justification for inaction. Veterans deserve
better from Her Majesty's Government.
Annex A
Example of one of the thirty five petitions
received by the Petition Defence Committee to the Defence Select
Committee
As an ex-serviceman and victim of the 1976-77
Pension Trough I wish to protest at, and seek a resolution to,
the financial discrimination I have suffered for the last 27 years.
The pay restraint I was forced to accept in the national interest
in the short period immediately before retirement resulted in
a significantly smaller pension for the remainder of my life and
for my wife should I predecease her. Having been called upon to
risk my life defending may country since the Second World War,
and thereby protecting the freedoms enjoyed by others, I ask that
my special and unique service to the nation be properly recognised
by just and fair treatment.
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