HC Deb 02 May 1923 vol 163 cc1410-1W
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that persons in receipt of pensions as ex-Cabinet Ministers surrender their pensions on reappointment to Cabinet posts, and that Members of this House surrender their salaries as Members while holding salaried appointments under the Government, he will consider the question of applying the same principle to persons holding highly paid posts in the Civil Service while drawing pensions, not including disability pensions, amounting to £1,000 a year for service in other Departments?

Major BOYD-CARPENTER

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated in his reply of the 30th November last to the hon. Member for West Nottingham (Mr. Hayday), Section 20 of the Superannuation Act, 1834, provides for the suspension or abatement of a pension awarded under the Superannuation Acts in the event of the pensioner being re-employed in an office in a Public Department. Retired officers of the Navy, Army or Air Force are not subject to suspension of retired pay on being re-employed in a civil capacity unless the appointment is one specially reserved for such officers. I see no sufficient reason for altering the existing practice.

Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many ex-civil servants in receipt of pensions are employed in the War Office performing work known in the office as weeding, perusing, and deciding whether the retention of certain documents is essential; and what salary is paid these gentlemen and the amount of pension they receive as ex-civil servants?

Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

Twenty-four ex-civil servants are so employed at present. They receive an allowance of £175 a year each, or £200 in the case of the official in charge. Their average pension is about £300.

Mr. LANSBURY

asked the President of the Board of Education how many officers temporarily or permanently employed in his Department are in receipt of pensions or other allowances from the State exceeding the sum of £250 per year, and the salary such persons are receiving in the positions they at present occupy either as temporary or permanent officers?

Mr. E. WOOD

The answer is one. The gentleman in question is a member of the staff of the Royal College of Art, and is in receipt of a yearly salary of £325 5s. (inclusive) for part-time services.