HC Deb 27 March 1911 vol 23 cc894-5
Mr. KERR-SMILEY

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether, in view of the admitted shortage of officers and the contrast that is caused by naval and military service placing retired officers under taxation in any new offices or employment compared with gentlemen who, by reason of their not having served in the Army or Navy, are immune from such taxation and enjoy the full salary of any such employment, His Majesty's Government will take steps to remove this burden and place them on an equality with other persons in respect to their ability to earn a full wage without deductions in any new work after leaving naval or military service?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The Superannuation Act of 1887 provides that an abatement shall be made from the salary of any officer in receipt of non-effective pay for naval or military service who is re-employed in a civil capacity. I see no sufficient reason for making any alteration in this provision, the principle of which was fully considered at the time.

Mr. KERR-SMILEY

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state how many retired officers of the Army or Navy who have received gratuities, or who are in receipt of pensions, are now serving under different Departments of State and drawing salaries from the funds of such Departments; how many of these officers have the pay of their existing employment reduced by the Treasury orders directing taxation of their pay, and what is the aggregate amount produced by such taxation; and whether, in the case of officers whose pay is derived from a declared public fund, the whole or part of any taxation is refunded to the rates from which the revenue of the fund is-wholly or partly obtained?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The information desired by the hon. Member will be found in the Return annually presented to Parliament under Section 6 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, of which the latest is H.C. No. 264 of 1910. There is no question of a refund. The civil salary is issued to the officer at the amount at which it is fixed after the abatement required under the statutory rules.