§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the Department requires clerks to surveyors of taxes to retire on attaining the age of sixty-two years, he will state if he is aware that such rule is not known to the clerks; whether he will explain why the clerks have not been informed of such intended future action: will he state if clerks forced to retire on on attaining the age of sixty-two years are to receive any gratuity after long and faithful service in the department.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The services of the clerks in question can be dispensed with at any time at a week's notice, and no guarantee of employment till the age of sixty-two can be given or implied. It is, therefore, unnecessary to give any such notice as the hon. Member suggests. The clerks are not entitled to any gratuity on retirement, but it is usual in deserving cases to make compassionate grants.