§ 13. Dr. Kingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether, in view of the fact that the 1319 Government propose to discontinue National Service, he will introduce legislation so as to permit teachers who have done National Service before entering their teaching career to count this Service for superannuation purposes.
§ Sir E. BoyleNo, Sir. It is a long standing principle of public service superannuation schemes that National Service should count for pension purposes only if it interrupts civil employment.
§ Dr. KingIs the Minister aware that this grievance has been accentuated since the granting of equal pay, and does he think it right that men who have done National Service, as contrasted with women or conscientious objectors, should be perpetually at a financial disability because they have served their country voluntarily?
§ Sir E. BoyleWe should think very hard before departing from this principle which, after all, was most recently laid down in the Superannuation Act, 1948. Any concession for National Service would also have repercussions affecting those engaged in war service before entering on their civil employment in the public service.