HC Deb 06 October 1909 vol 11 cc1990-2
Sir GEORGE KEKEWICH

asked at what date the superannuation forms prescribed by the Treasury regulations were issued to the Government offices; and whether, seeing that the date of adoption of the Act by any Civil servant is the completion by him of the form, instructions were given that the forms should be immediately placed in the hands of the Civil servants concerned?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

A circular enclosing copies of the Treasury Regulations under Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1909, and of the prescribed forms of application for permission to adopt the provisions of the Act was issued by the Treasury to all public Departments on 21st September, the day following that on which the Act became law. The Departments were instructed to obtain further supplies of forms from the Stationery Office, and I am informed that each requisition has been dealt with at once, without any delay. The answer to the second paragraph of the question is in the affirmative.

Sir GEORGE KEKEWICH

asked whether, in the case of a Civil servant who died between the date at which the Superannuation Act came into operation and that at which he would have had an opportunity of filling up the superannuation form, his family would get no benefit from the Act, although the delay was due to the non-issue of the forms and not to the neglect of the Civil servant?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

If a Civil servant dies before he has applied to be allowed to adopt the provisions of the Act, his family will, of course, not be entitled to the benefits of the Act, but I see no reason to suppose that any application will be delayed by the non-issue of the prescribed forms.

Sir G. KEKEWICH

asked at what date superannuation forms were issued to the Department of Customs and Excise; whether the forms have been actually placed in the hands of Civil servants in that Department; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The supply of forms of application to adopt the provisions of the Superannuation Act, 1909, was received at the Customs House on the 30th ultimo, and copies were forwarded to the various supervising officers on the 2nd instant for issue to their subordinates. It is presumed, therefore, that a form has already been placed in the hands of every established officer of the Department who is not absent from duty.

Sir G. KEKEWICH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these forms were only actually placed in the hands of the officials yesterday?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I think that is so, but it was not the fault of the Stationery Department. It was due to some misunderstanding at the Customs Office.