HC Deb 05 March 1934 vol 286 cc1546-7

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £20,000, be granted to His Majesty to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1934, for Superannuation, Compensation, Compassionate and Additional Allowances and Gratuities under sundry Statutes; Compassionate Allowances, Gratuities and Supplementary Pensions awarded by the Treasury and, under the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, by the Civil Service Committee.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

As the Committee is aware the Treasury, under Statute, is compelled to pay certain gratuities and allowances on the retirement or death of civil servants. We have no option in the matter; we operate under the compulsion of the Statute. Unestablished officers who are retired through age or infirmity after 15 years' service, or on the abolition of the office after seven years' service, are entitled to compassionate gratuities at the rate of a week's pay for each year of service. The death of a Colonial Governor at an early age has caused part of this Supplementary Estimate to be placed before the Committee. Gratuities are payable to established women in the Civil Service on marriage at certain specified rates; we have no option in the matter. The Committee will, therefore, see that this is an Estimate which could not have been foreseen.

Question put, and agreed to.

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