§ 72. Sir Ian Fraserasked the Minister of Pensions how many sisters and nurses are there in the service of his Department who have served for 10 years or more and 20 years or more, respectively; at what age they will retire; and what pensions they will receive.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingFifty-six charge and nursing sisters have more than 20 years' service, and 12 between 10 and 20 years. Sisters are not normally retired before the age of 60, and may be retained up to 65. All are insured under the Contributory Pensions Acts. In addition, nearly all participate in the Federated Superannuation Scheme for Nurses and receive annuities or lump sums assessed according to their rank, age on retirement, and length of membership of this scheme. The very few who do riot participate receive gratuities on the scale laid down 1352 in Article 783 of the Pay Warrant, 1940, for members of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve.
§ Sir I. FraserIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some of these hospitals there are a good many ladies who are getting on in years, and who will shortly have to go out, after 20 years' service, with only £25 or £30 per annum?
§ Mr. PalingI am aware that there are some.
§ Sir I. FraserWill the right hon. Gentleman do something about it?
§ Mr. Paling; There are various ways of dealing with it. In 1935 a superannuation scheme was brought into operation, but not everybody has been able to take advantage of it.