HC Deb 08 July 1937 vol 326 cc558-9
50. Mr. Kirby

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many thousands of ex-service civil servants now serving in Government Departments are not given pension privileges, and that this is causing serious unrest among the men concerned and is strongly criticised by ex-service organisations; and whether he will take steps to inquire into this matter by setting up a suitable committee of inquiry?

52. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered the resolutions sent from organisations of civil servants pressing the claim that temporary service be counted for pensionable purposes; and whether he will set up a committee to inquire into this matter?

53. Mr. Kennedy

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has reached a decision on the proposal to set up a committee to consider the Civil Service complaint regarding the action of the Treasury in refusing to allow temporary service to count for pensionable purposes?

55. Mr. Stephen

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the appointment of a committee of inquiry to see if it is possible to reckon temporary service of civil servants for pensionable purposes?

Sir J. Simon

Representations have recently been received that an inquiry is desirable as to the extent to which the temporary service of those ex-service men who originally entered service as temporary clerks should be reckoned for pension. The matter has been repeatedly examined, but the question whether further inquiry would serve any useful purpose will receive due consideration.

Mr. McEntee

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of the London County Council and other large local authorities in the country such service is allowed to rank for pension?

Mr. Gallacher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these men have served for as long as io years?

Sir J. Simon

I think the circumstances are well understood. As I have said, the matter has been examined more than once, but I am having the question considered whether it would be useful to have a further inquiry.

54. Mr. Jagger

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is prepared to permit Government Departments to provide pensions for Government messengers in the same way as local authorities are permitted under the Local Government Superannuation Bill of this year to provide pensions for servants?

Sir J. Simon

The staff in question are in general organised in two grades, of which the higher is established, the members of the lower grade being eligible for promotion to this grade. I can see no justification for a modification of this arrangement, and I would point out to the hon. Member that the State system of superannuation is non-contributory and differs in many other respects from the local government system.

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