§ 15. Colonel YATEasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that retired and pensioned postmen who offer their services for re-employment for temporary service during the War are informed that they must forfeit their pensions whilst re-employed; and whether he will give orders that pensions once earned are not to be forfeited on re-engagement?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The practice of the Post Office is to pay re-employed pensioners at the full rate for the services they perform and to withhold such part of the pension payments as may be necessary to comply with the terms of Section 20 of the Superannuation Act of 1834. This Section requires that no more of the pension shall be paid than with the salary on reemployment shall equal the salary at the date of retirement.
§ Colonel YATEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that men asking for reemployment are offered less pay than they were drawing when they left the service, and, in addition to that, have to give up their pensions?
§ Mr. SAMUELIf that is so, such an answer must have been given to an individual man under a misapprehension. He ought to retain as much of his pension as would make up the total pay to the pay which he was receiving on his retirement. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will inform me of any particular case where this has not been done, I will have it inquired into.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman give orders that the pension is not to be entirely confiscated? That is the case with the man I am referring to.
§ Mr. SAMUELInstructions have already been given, and should have been acted upon.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONAre they apt to lose their earned pensions for misconduct?
§ Mr. SAMUELI think not, but I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will give me notice.