§ 34. Captain CLIVEasked the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction among officers on retired pay from the Army who, on appointment to any other Department of the State or declared on public funds, find deductions made from their pay under the Superannuation Act, 1887; if he is aware that retired Indian officers doing the same service have no such deduction made, nor do English officers entering civilian service abroad, although often not available for Reserve service if required; if he will state what is the total saving to the Treasury 1797 by this action under the Superannuation Act, 1887; and if he will consider the desirability of at any rate allowing retired officers the option of continuing their liability to Reserve service in return for the full pension which they have earned?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Robertson)The deductions are prescribed by No. 4 of the statutory rules under Section 6 of the Superannuation Act, 1887. That rule does not apply to retired Indian officers, whose retired pay is not paid from Imperial funds, nor to retired officers re-employed abroad unless the profits of their employment are derived from a public fund within the meaning of Rule 1 (b). A detailed Return showing the deductions made is presented annually to Parliament (see House of Commons Paper 272, of 1912). With reference to the last paragraph of the question, I understand that these officers are not at present exempt from liability to recall to military service. The deduction (which is made from the profits of the civil employment and not from the pension) is statutory and cannot therefore be waived.
§ Captain CLIVEThe substantial part of my question was whether attention has been called to the dissatisfaction of Army officers when they find these deductions made?
Mr. ROBERTSONIt is known that there is some dissatisfaction, but, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, no change can be made without legislation.