§ 60. Mr. William Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the result of his further consideration of the counting of unestablished service in Government Departments for pension purposes.
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir, and I have decided that, as from the beginning of this financial year, the Lytton and South-borough entrants to the established Civil Service shall for the future be pensionable on the basis that the whole of their unestablished service, after the end of the 1914–18 War, shall count as to one half as pensionable service. I have further decided to apply the same principle to the so-called age-barred officers. I am asking the National Whitley Council for any observations they may wish to make, in the light of these decisions.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs my right hon. Friend aware that his statement will meet with the general approval of a large number of Members of this House, and will give great satisfaction to a large number of men in the service, who had almost despaired of getting justice from any Government?
§ Mr. DaltonIt is my view that these men had a raw deal in the past, and it is the duty of this new Parliament and new Government to help them.
§ Mr. W. J. BrownMay I ask whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes to seek the concurrence of the House, either by way of Resolution or in some other form, with the proposals which he has made today, and to give the House an opportunity of discussing their adequacy or otherwise? There are a very large number of men affected by this, as the Chancellor knows.
§ Mr. DaltonIt is not for me to speak of the business of the House. If there is any widespread opposition to the decision I have announced, there will be ways and means, no doubt, of giving expression to it.