HC Deb 20 March 1912 vol 35 c1875
Mr. CHARLES DUNCAN

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state the approximate number of persons in the employ of his Department to whom Section 4 of the Superannuation Act of 1887 is applicable; what percentage of this number per annum it is estimated will die while in the service; and what, would be the average annual cost of granting to the dependents of such persons so dying a gratuity on the scale provided by the section of the Act referred to for persons retiring on a medical certificate of infirmity?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I have no information which would enable me to answer the hon. Member's question with any approach to accuracy. But it may suffice if I inform him that during the five years ended on 31st December, 1911, 287 gratuities of the average value of £32 were awarded to male Post Office servants, and forty-three gratuities of the average value of £23 to females.

Mr. C. DUNCAN

Out of what total number of persons?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that question. The total number of the Post Office employés last year was 212,000 and this year it is 230,000.