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3RD DRAFT
but not long enough to qualify for an immediate award on retire-
ment. The new arrangements will take the form of the award of
deferred pensions and terminal grants at the age of 60, although
we hope that eventually Servicemen who leave will have their
pension values transferred to the pension schemes of their subse-
quent employers, in line with the Social Security Act 1973.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Housing for Servicemen and their Families
24. Some Servicemen experience problems in obtaining suitable
housing on leaving the Services and proposals are being considered
to alleviate such difficulties. The advice given to local
authorities on the provision of council housing for ex-Servicemen
has been reviewed in consultation with the Department of the
Environment, who have issued/who are issuing_7 a new guidance
circular. Improvements are being made to the existing Assisted
House Purchase Scheme, by increasing the amounts available to
participants and by extending the period during which the advance
of pay can be made from the last year of service to the last two
years. In addition, a new Assisted House Purchase Scheme is to be
introduced, designed to help those in the Services of 50 years of
age or more to purchase a house in the last five years of their
service.
Family Welfare
25. The report of the Naval Welfare Committee, under Lord Seebohm,
was published in February 1974. Its key recommendation, to build
up a professionally-staffed social service to encompass all aspects
of welfare for Naval personnel and their families, has been accepted
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