HC Deb 04 February 1908 vol 183 cc716-7
MR. BOTTOMLEY

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of a Hackney postman who, after thirty years service, died whilst stamping letters; whether, under the Superannuation Acts, there is no power to grant a compassionate allowance to the man's widow, who is in distressful circumstances; and whether he will consider the desirableness of so amending the Acts as to cover such a case in future.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

The Superannuation Acts make no provision for the widows of deceased civil servants, and I have not any public funds at my disposal enabling me to make any grant to the widow of the postman to whom the hon. Member refers. The Rowland Hill Fund, to whom the case was represented, have, I am glad to learn, made a grant to the widow. The question of amending the Acts is not one which falls within the province of my Department.

MR. J. WARD

Arising out of that Answer may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Committee on Postal Servants did not make some recommendation dealing with cases of this kind.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

This comes within what is known as the Courtney scheme, and, if it is accepted, the widows in cases like this would be provided for.

MR. J. WARD

asked if all the Hobhouse Committee's recommendations had been adopted except this particular one.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

As I did not know this question was going to be raised I have not refreshed my memory by looking up the Report, but I rather think the Committee pointed out that this was a matter which did not concern the Post Office alone but all the Civil Service, and that they were not in a position to deal with it. I believe the views of the Civil Service have been taken as to the desirability of adopting the Courtney scheme; that a majority decided in favour of it and that the matter is now under consideration by the Treasury.

MR. CHTOZZA MONEY (Paddington, N.)

Is it not the case that in Germany the widows of civil servants are provided for?

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

Yes.

MR. J. WARD

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the result of the vote taken on this question?

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

I understand that so far as the Post Office is concerned there was a very large majority in favour of the proposal to adopt the Courtney scheme, but I do not remember the result so far as other branches of the Civil Service were concerned; I believe, however, that the Treasury has under consideration the steps necessary to give effect to the scheme.