§ 12 and 13. Mr. William Brownasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that Mr. Joseph Samut, senior clerk, Army Ordnance Services, Malta, who is now 66½ years of age, has put in over 45 years of service but will not receive any pension on discharge; and whether he will take steps to ensure that this old servant of the State is given a pension on retirement;
(2) whether he is aware that Mr. Joseph M. Pisharello, who has been in the employ of the War Department at Gibraltar for 40 years, has been denied establishment, and consequently pension rights, because at a material date he was said to be eight weeks over age for establishment; and whether he will reconsider this situation with a view to seeing that, after so long a period of service, Mr. Pisharello becomes eligible for pension rights?
§ Sir J. GriggI regret that Mr. Samut and Mr. Pisharello are not eligible for establishment under the provisions of the National Whitley Council agreement of firth August, 1939. They will, however, be considered for a gratuity.
§ Mr. BrownIs not the War Minister aware that under legislation adopted by this House, the Treasury has unlimited power to count as established service periods of as established service and can he not ensure that the Treasury shall do justice to these men by counting their service-as established service?
§ Sir J. GriggI am well aware of the Treasury rule in the matter of superannution having, as the hon. Member knows, spent a large part of my life in that Department. These people are not established and they are not within the rules of establishment, and therefore the question of counting service for pension does not arise.
§ Mr. BrownI beg to give notice that in view of that very unsatisfactory reply I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.