§ 65. Mr. MATHERSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether it is his intention, and if so, when, to establish a proper scheme of superannuation for employes in the service of His Majesty's Office of Works.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. R. S. Hudson) (for the First Commissioner of Works)I assume that the hon. Member refers to industrial staff. Such staff is not confined to the Office of Works, and I understand that the possibility of including Government industrial employes generally in a contributory pensions scheme has recently been discussed on the appropriate Whitley body representing the staff concerned. As a result of that discussion, the trade union side have been informed that the introduction of such a scheme for Government industrial employés would involve substantial 871 additional expenditure without adequate compensatory advantage. The Government, therefore, do not contemplate any such modification of existing arrangements.