§ 32. Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Miss F. M. Thomas was employed as a nurse at the Whitechurch Mental Hospital for nearly seven years, during which time she paid £19 in contributions to the superannuation fund; that she then worked two years at the Swansea Mental Hospital and afterwards got married; that she received from the Swansea Mental Hospital committee as returned contributions £7, and that she applied to the Whitechurch Mental Hospital committee for the return of her contributions there, but this committee has refused to do so; whether he will inquire why the contributions have been refused; and what action he intends taking in the matter?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREMy right hon. Friend is not aware of any provision in the Asylums Officers' Superannuation Act, 1909, enabling the Cardiff visiting committee to return the contributions. The visiting committee were informed on the 20th ultimo that, if they desire to return the contributions, my right hon. Friend would be prepared to sanction the expense in the exercise of his powers under the Local Government Act, 1933.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it not a fact that in all the schemes under the Superannuation Act of 1929 there is a provision which gives the local authority the right to return not only the contributions, but, in some cases, a certain amount of interest.
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe law is that the contributions can be returned in respect of superannuation only in respect of the last mental hospital in which the applicant served, but prior to that there is no legal sanction.