§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the case of an employee on the staff of the lighting and ventilating department of the Houses of Parliament, about to be retired through physical unfitness at the age of sixty-seven, and after thirty-four years service; and whether, having regard to the man's long service and good conduct, he will consider the advisability of granting him a small pension instead of a bonus; and whether he will further consider the expediency of placing the staff of the above-mentioned department upon a similar footing to other servants of the House with respect to pensions.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS, Kent, St. Augustine's)Yes, Sir, my attention has been called to the case mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member. I wish it were in my power to award a pension to this deserving public servant, who unfortunately belongs to a class not legally entitled to superannuation
† See Debates [Fourth Series], Vol. xc, page 53.950 allowances. All that can be done for him is to award him the gratuity provided for by the Superannuation Act of 1887, which in this case is £46 10s. It is not possible for me to carry out the alteration suggested in the second paragraph of the question, though it is one which I would cordially welcome.