§ Mr. MARKHAMasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that all the staff of this House other than the waiters under the Kitchen Committee receive pensions on retirement, he will propose to the House a grant of a pension out of the Civil Service Estimates to Messrs. Platt and Collins, who have had 35 and 25 years' service respectively; and whether he is aware that in the case of Mr. Collins his health has been seriously impaired owing to the continued late sittings of the House?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)I understand that Messrs. Platt and Collins are in the employment of the Kitchen Committee, not of the House, and consequently I have no power to grant them pensions.
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late Sir A. Jacoby most generously left a sum of £1,000 to form a nucleus of a pension fund for the attendants and waiters in this House? Will he consider whether it would be possible for him in some way to supplement that sum, in order that a real pension fund might be formed?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI shall be happy to consider any suggestion of that kind. I think it is a misfortune that there is no fund available for an exceedingly deserving case of this kind. I am sure it would be the general wish of Members of the House.
§ Mr. MARKHAMMay I inquire, seeing private Members have no power to propose money resolutions, how they can proceed?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe only way a private Member can proceed by the procedure of the House is to call attention to the matter in the Committee Debate.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that but for the assistance of Messrs. Platt and Collins all-night sittings of this House would become impossible?