Captain TERRELLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if any suggestions have been made for the increase of all State pensions by 100 per cent.; how many people in that case would be affected and how much it would cost the nation annually; and will the House of Commons be given an opportunity of discussing the question before anything definite is decided upon?
Mr. YOUNGI am not aware of any proposal to increase all State pensions by 100 per cent. It would appear, therefore, that the latter parts of the question do not arise.
Captain TERRELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of senior civil servants who have retired in each of the last four periods of six months; and whether more than usual are taking their pensions at the earliest possible date so as to avoid the effect of the fall of the bonus?
Mr. YOUNGConsiderable labour would be involved in obtaining the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks, and as civil servants are entitled in any case to retire at the age of 60, if they desire to do so, I do not feel justified, in view of the need for economy of labour, in having the in- 55W formation prepared. I have no reason to suppose that more senior civil servants than usual are retiring for the purpose suggested.