§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Wexford, N.)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether heads of departments had 685 power to retire efficient clerks in the Civil Service at sixty with less than forty years service on 22nd December, 1886, when the Treasury framed the rule requiring copyists on promotion to the established service to forfeit the gratuity earned for faithful temporary service; and, if not, whether he will now arrange for such temporary service, when recommended by heads of departments, to count in full towards superannuation.
(Answer.) Heads of Departments have always had the right to retire an officer at any time if they consider that the interests of the public service make it desirable. I am not prepared to propose any alteration of the kind suggested in the second paragraph of the Question.—(Treasury.)