HC Deb 10 April 1928 vol 162 cc1038-9
52. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the rule as to retirement applicable to permanent officers of the Civil Service extends to temporary officers employed in the Ministries of Labour and Pensions and whether those temporary or permanent officers who are receiving Service pensions up to £1,000 per annum for service in other Departments, and are now drawing salaries in whole-time posts up to £1,000 per annum, will be able to have their present service added to pensionable service on the completion of their present engagements?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Major Boyd-Carpenter)

Temporary officers of the Civil Service are discharged when their services are no longer required. They are not subject to the age limits prescribed by Order in Council for the permanent Civil Service, but to such limits as may be laid down for particular cases or classes of cases. Service in respect of which pension has already, been awarded, and is now being issued, cannot be aggregated with present service for pension purposes, even if such service is pensionable.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in the Pensions Ministry the regional officer for Yorkshire is being discharged and two other regional officers are receiving pensions of £900 and £1,000 a year and also salary for performing the duties of regional officer, and in view of the fact that there are thousands of men out of work capable of doing this work, will he discharge the pensioners?

Major BOYD-CARPENTER

I am afraid, if the facts are as stated by the hon. Member, it would seem to he a matter more for the Ministry of Pensions than for myself, but if there are any such cases it will be interesting to have them.

Mr. LANSBURY

You are the watchdog of the Treasury.