§ CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether officers of all grades in the Excise branch of the Inland Revenue Service are required to superannuate at the ago of 62, whereas officers occupying corresponding positions and performing similar work in the Customs branch do not superannuate until they reach the age of 65, and, if so, why this distinction is made; and whether the effect of such superannuation of men, physically and mentally able to perform their official duties, is to increase the non-effective charge in this department.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) In all departments of the public service an established officer may be called upon to retire at the age of 60. Retention beyond this age depends upon efficiency, but retirement is compulsory in ordinary cases at the age of 65. These rules are acted upon in the departments referred to in the Question, but it is the practice of the Board of Inland Revenue to require all officers to retire at the age of 62, provided they have completed 40 years of pensionable service, and that their retirement at this age is not thought to be detrimental to the public interest. No doubt the earlier the age for retirement the greater becomes the non-effective charge, but the Board are of opinion that, in the interests of efficient administration, the general rule they have adopted should be maintained.