§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That a supplementary sum, not exceeding £8,101, be granted to Her Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1890, for superannuation and retired allowances.
§ (11.55.) MR. A. O'CONNOR ( Donegal, E.)I see that, in connection with the Supreme Court of Judicature, five gentlemen have retired, and provision is to be made for them. Is it not extraordinary that such cases as these should appear in the Supplementary Estimates? The Government must have been perfectly well aware at the beginning of the year of the ages of these gentlemen. What is the explanation of these being dealt with in this Estimate? Is it because some arrangements for the re-organisation of the Service are being carried out?
§ (11.56.) MR. W. L. JACKSONThe hon. Member has exactly stated the facts of the case. There has been a re-organisation and a re-arrangement under which certain taxing masters have retired, and considerable economies 1250 have been effected. Under the system which now obtains, it is not possible for us to make provision for any super annuations which occur after the accounts have been made up, and, as hon. Gentlemen are aware, the 30th September in each year is the date for making up the accounts, on which the Estimates for the following year are framed. Sometimes it happens that the pensions which fall out equal in amount the new ones, but, unless the House of Commons will entrust the Treasury with a round sum with which to meet contingencies, these items in the Supplementary Estimates cannot be avoided.
§ (11.59.) MR. A. O'CONNORHow is it that the names of some gentlemen who have retired do not appear in any of the Estimates?
§ MR. JACKSONI know of no such cases; but if the hon. Gentleman will give me names I will make inquiry.
§ (12.0.) MR. BLANE (Armagh, S.)The working classes of this country are often lectured for their want of forethought in providing for old age; and I think they are entitled to ask how it is that these gentlemen who have received high salaries for many years are granted these large annuities on retiring? Surely if a man is well paid he ought himself to make provision for his old age.
§ It being Midnight, the Chairman left the Chair to make his report to the House.
§ Resolutions to be reported to-morrow: Committee also report Progress to sit again to-morrow.