§ 18. Mr. ROBINSONasked the First Commissioner of Works how many workmen engaged in the works, engineering, and supplies departments are excluded from the pension scheme; and what would be the cost of making their employment pensionable?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)The industrial staff of my department, as of most other departments, is non-pensionable, and I am unable to estimate the cost to the Exchequer of a pensions scheme as much would depend on its character.
§ 19. Mr. ROBINSONasked the First Commissioner of Works how many non-pensionable workmen of the works, engineering, and supplies departments regularly engaged at the Houses of Parliament have recently retired; what was the length of Government service of each; and what was the amount of gratuity awarded in each case?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREEight men of the departments mentioned have been retired during the present month; of these one had four years' service and the remainder 15 years'. Subject to the requirements of the Superannuation Act, 1887, being otherwise fulfilled, those with 15 years' service will receive a gratuity under that Act, calculated at the rate of one week's pay for each year of service.