HC Deb 02 December 1937 vol 329 cc2408-10

Considered in Committee under Standing Order No. 69.

[Sir DENNIS HERBERT in the Chair.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That, for the purpose of any Act of the present Session containing provisions extending the powers conferred by certain enactments relating to superannuation so as to include power to grant the like superannuation benefits, and to permit the like allocation of superannuation benefits to spouses and dependants, as could be granted or permitted in respect of persons in the Civil Service of the State, it is expedient to authorise payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of the amount by which expenditure authorised by any enactment to be paid out of such moneys is increased by reason of the said provisions." —(King's Recommendation signified.)—[Lieu t.- Colonel Colville.]

Mr. Paling

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give some estimate of the amount that will be involved?

11.41 p.m.

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

The amount will be very small. If the hon. Member will look at the last paragraph in the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum, he will see that the cost of the grants authorised in the Bill will be negligible. I would not like to say the exact sum, but it might be a few thousand pounds altogether.

Mr. Kelly

Approximately what amount?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

It might he in the neighbourhood of £2,000 or £3,000, but certainly not more, because the allocation of pension is actuarially calculated to cost the same as when pension is awarded to the official himself. The main purpose of the Bill is to enable a pension to be granted to the wife or the dependant if the official so desires. If part of the official's pension is passed on, it probably does not involve a fresh charge. The fresh charge will be mainly due to other items which I have mentioned, and the amount to which I have referred would probably be more than the amount.

Resolution to be reported upon Monday next.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

It being after Half-past Eleven of the Clock,Mr. SPEAKER adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned at Sixteen Minutes before Twelve o'Clock.