§ 77. Sir R. HAMILTONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the case of W. J. Jewell, the head clerk of the Probate Registry, Taunton, who will be retired under the scheme of reorganisation of district probate registries on 1st January, 1926, after 51 years' service; and whether, seeing that the maximum gratuity he can receive is £480, and that other clerks appointed prior to 1879 have been granted pensions, he will inquire into this case?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Douglas Hogg)I have been asked to reply. From inquiries which I have made it would seem that the hon. and learned Member is misinformed. No scheme of reorganisation has yet been settled, and it is therefore uncertain what amount will be payable in case of retirement thereunder. No such scheme will be in operation on 1st January, 1926, not will anyone be retired thereunder at that date. Under the existing law, clerks appointed before 1879 have no right either to gratuity or pension, and the new-scheme is designed to alter this state of affairs.