§ MR. GRANTHAMasked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the rule which prevails in the Army, making it compulsory on officers to retire at certain ages, with a view of securing a steady and healthy flow of promotion in the junior ranks, might not with equal advantage be applied to the Civil Service generally; and, if there is any reason why the regulation now in force at the Admiralty, requiring clerks of forty years' service to retire or, attaining the age of sixty, should not be extended to the War Office and other Public Departments, in which, failing the introduction of any such measure, the prospects of advancement are exceedingly remote?
§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISHBy the Superannuation Act of 1859, any member of the Civil Service of 60 years of age and 40 years' service is qualified, on retirement, for the maximum pension of two-thirds of fns pay and allowances. Formerly, the rate of retiring pension increased up to 50 years' service, when it might be equal to the full pay and allowances. Undoubtedly, the tendency of that system was to detain men in the Service too long; but under the one now in force it is not very usual for any clerk in the Public Departments to remain after he 1325 is qualified for the full retiring pension. The Regulation now in force at the Admiralty, to which the hon. Member alludes, was promulgated at a time when great changes were being made. I am not aware of any case which calls for a new general Rule; it is, however, in the power of the Head of any Department to propose to the Treasury for adoption the Admiralty Regulation.