§ 30. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mr. B. Palmer, 7, Napton Grove, Birmingham, 29, returned to work under the National Health Service after his retirement, acting in the national interest and looking forward to an improved pension; that he has now been discovered to be ineligible for re-entry to the superannuation scheme; that his contributions were wrongly deducted for two-and-a-half years and have now been returned without apology or payment of interest; whether he will not make an ex gratia payment for the loss and distress involved; and whether he will amend the regulations to encourage elderly people to resume work in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. TurtonI am sorry that Mr. Palmer was wrongly required to make superannuation contributions on being reemployed; these have been returned and I do not consider that any question of an ex gratia payment arises. The Superannuation Regulations already enable re-employed pensioners to add to their pensions except where a pension has been 26 commuted. I do not consider that an amendment of the Regulations is called for.
§ Mr. ChapmanBut is not this most unfair? Would it not be the decent thing to do to offer this man at least an ex gratia payment to cover the interest on the money which the Ministry has illegally collected from him for no less than two years? Would it not be the decent thing to do something about that aspect of the matter?
§ Mr. TurtonThere is no statutory power to pay interest on returned contributions made in these circumstances.