§ Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that employés in His Majesty's dockyards are being invited to remain on until the age of 65 years and that some of them find themselves compelled to remain on till this age because the average pension of 15s. which a retired established man receives is insufficient to sustain him; whether, in these circumstances, he will take immediate steps to place pensions upon a higher scale so that men may be allowed to retire in comparative comfort at the age of 60 upon a satisfactory pension; and whether, as regards thse men who have accepted the invitation to remain on, will allow them to draw pay and pension concurrently as other pensioners do?
§ Mr. AMMONNo general invitation is issued to employés to remain in the Admiralty service until the age of 65, and the hon. and gallant Member probably has in mind the cases of men who, under the Regulations, may be retained, if they so desire, between the ages of 60 and 65, subject to their services being required and to physical fitness. The pensions recently awarded, including the supplementary pension which is based on industrial bonus, average approximately 23s. 6d. a week in the case of dockyard workmen retiring on account of age. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the pensions are assessed by the Treasury in accordance with the provisions of the Superannuation Acts, and eligibility for pension does not arise until actual retirement. The Superannuation Act, 1834, stipulates for the cessation of a civil pension if the pensioner is re-employed in a public Department at a rate of pay equal to that of the situation formerly held by him. The hon. and gallant Member will realise that these statutes are applicable to the whole of1560W the Civil Service and no ground is seen for amending legislation in favour of Admiralty employés.