Mr. ROBINSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the War Regulation retaining men over 60 years of age in the Civil Service is still in force; and, if so, will he furnish a Return showing the number of persons over 60 years of age employed in each Department of the State?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe rule prescribed for the Civil Service by Clause 15 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, is that a civil servant may be called upon to retire at any time after he has reached the age of 60. Subject to retention in special cases, retirement is compulsory at the age of 65. Between those ages the retirement of a civil servant is a, matter for the discretion of the head of his Department, and there is no general Regulation requiring the retention of men over 60. I do not think that the labour and expense of preparing a. return of persons over 60 years of age employed in each Department would be justified.
§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the 300,000 civil servants are receiving less than £2, £3, and £4 a week, respectively, bonus included.
§ Mr. McNEILLIt is estimated that out of the total staff of 300,000 civil servants to which the hon. Member refers about 225,000 are receiving less than £4 a week, including bonus. It would not be possible without more elaborate investigations to subdivide the latter number into the various categories mentioned.