HC Deb 02 May 1939 vol 346 cc1696-7
62. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of W. T. Miller, late Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, who served 22 years, five weeks in the Army, was promoted to colour-sergeant, wounded in 1916 and discharged with an exemplary character; has since served 20 years in the Civil Service, and is due for discharge for age on 23rd June without the prospect of a civil pension; and whether he will specially consider this man's claim after 42 years service to the country?

Mr. Peake

Mr. Miller was appointed as a temporary clerk in the Office of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in January, 1924, and in an examination held in the following year he failed to qualify for establishment. He will on retirement be awarded the gratuity to which he is entitled under the superannuation regulations applicable to the civil staff of the Commissioner's Office, which are similar to the provisions applying to the Civil Service, but I regret that as he has not held a pensionable office there is no power to grant him a pension. He is already in receipt of a pension in respect of his military service.

Sir A. Knox

Does the hon. Member realise that this ex-Service man belongs to a class whose services were indispensable in the Civil Service in the post-war years, and is it fair to allow him to leave with only a gratuity after 20 years in the Civil Service?

Mr. Peake

This man is receiving a military pension of £78 a year, in addition to a gratuity of £80, in accordance with the practice in the Civil Service.

Sir A. Knox

Is not the military pension for 21 years service in the military branch before joining the Civil Service?