§ MR. CONYBEAREasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it was the fact that there was once a fund, called the Superannuation Fund, to which all Civil Servants were compelled to subscribe, and that this fund was eventually absorbed by the Treasury on the understanding that pensions would in future be granted to Civil Servants out of the Consolidated Fund; what the fund amounted to when absorbed by the Treasury; and what has become of it?
§ *MR. GOSCHENIn answer to the 5th consecutive question put by the hon. Member, I have to say—["Oh!" and"Withdraw."] I cannot withdraw the fact that it is the fifth consecutive question, and that it is one of a group of eight questions which appear in the name of the hon. Member. In reply I have to inform him that a small fund of 1157 this character existed between 1821 and 1824, when it was abolished and the contributors were repaid. The hon. Member, however, doubtless refers to the deductions from salaries instituted in 1829 under Treasury Minute, confirmed and extended by Section 27 of the Superannuation Act of 1834, and abolished in 1857. The sums so deducted were applied in reduction of the Superannuation Vote up to 1848–49 inclusive, and from 1849 to 1857 they were annually paid into the Exchequer. Thus, there never existed anything which could be called a "Superannuation Fund," or the amount of which could be stated; but the whole amount deducted was applied, directly or indirectly, in reduction of the charge upon the taxes for pensions payable between 1829 and 1857.
§ MR. CONYBEAREAs I have not been able to hear the greater part of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, I beg to give notice that when I have had an opportunity of studying it in the Times I may put to him a sixth question, and, if necessary, a seventh or eighth.