§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he will take steps to lessen the delay which now occurs between the retirement of postal officials and the settlement of their pension; whether he is aware that this delay frequently causes great hardship to the men and their families; and whether the delay is due to the action of the Post Office authorities in sending the cases to the Treasury in batches instead of forwarding each case as it arises.
§ MR. HANBURYSuperannuation papers are dealt with by the Post Office as they arise, and not in the manner described in the latter part of the question. No avoidable delay occurs in sending in superannuation papers to the Treasury, but special questions often arise in connection with the qualification for pension, and it is sometimes necessary to obtain particulars which involve several references to different offices.
§ MR. STEADMANWould it not be possible, in order to avoid the hardships which frequently occur in the interval between a man's leaving the service and getting his pension, to keep him in the service until the pension is actually settled?
§ MR. HANBURYI do not think that can be done. Application cannot be made 1299 to the Treasury until a man has resigned. I quite agree with the hon. Member that delay ought to be avoided as far as possible.
§ MR. STEADMANBut the Post Office officials must know when a man's service is expiring. Could not arrangements be made accordingly?
§ MR. HANBURYNot always. There may be a question as to whether a man is entitled to the full pension. He has no right of appeal to the Treasury until he is actually dismissed.