§ Mr. T. SMITHasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the pensions of pre-war Civil Service pensioners are on a lower rate than those of post-war pensioners, and that if pre-war pensioners engage in light employment their pensions are reduced to certain limits; whether, seeing 631W that pensions are awarded, at least, as a nominal right, something can be done to relieve the position of pre-war pensioners; and if there are any regulations which, in application, serve to restrict the incomes of post-war pensioners in ordinary employment?
§ Mr. W. S. MORRISONAs regards the first and third parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on the 11th March. As regards the second part, the pension awarded on retirement to a pre-war Civil Service pensioner is not affected by light remunerative employment; the amount of any addition thereto under the Pensions (Increase) Acts is dependent upon the limit of means prescribed by those Acts, and such addition may accordingly be affected by current remuneration. As regards the fourth part, no such addition can be made to the pension of a civil servant who retired after the passing of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, and the question of its reduction does not therefore arise, while the provisions for reduction of Civil Service pension on re-employment in a public Department at a salary which brings Section 20 of the Superannuation Act, 1834, into operation apply irrespective of the date of retirement.