§ Commander Sir E. NICHOLLasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, with a view to the provision of additional appointments in the permanent Civil Service for young men who have served in the Navy or Army, the Treasury have in contemplation the granting of facilities for voluntary retirement to any existing members of the permanent Civil Service who have not attained the age of sixty on such superannuation allowance as would have accrued were their retirement solely due to ill-health or to abolition of office; and, if not, whether steps will be taken at an early date to take advantage of such an exceptional opportunity of securing financial economy and at the same time enabling permanent provision to be made for an increased number of eligible and deserving men from the forces in need of civil employment?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answers to both parts of this question are in the negative. A radical alteration in the rules of superannuation such as that referred to by the hon. and gallant Member would involve legislation. Any economy on effective charges which might be produced would be much more than counterbalanced by1812W increased pension liabilities, and I cannot regard the proposal made in the question as an appropriate method of accelerating the absorption of demobilised soldiers and sailors into civil employment.