§ Mr. DENNISONasked the Minister of Health the present numbers in each grade, men and women, employed in the pensions division in his Department, from the head of the division downwards to the lowest grade; how many, men and women, lower clerical, higher clerical, junior executive, and higher executive posts have been filled by promotion since the pensions divisions were inaugurated, and the grades from which such promotions were made; and how many acting allowances have been paid to officers in the pensions divisions 'for work of a temporary character above their respective grades, and the amount of such allowances in each case?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe present numbers in each grade employed
Grade. Posts filled by Promotion. Grade from which Promotions were made. Men. Women. Lower Clerical … … — 18 Writing Assistant. Higher Clerical … … 21 10 Lower Clerical. Higher Clerical … … 4 — Redundant Second Division Clerk. Junior Executive … … 24 8 Lower Clerical. Higher Executive … … 22 — Junior Executive. Higher Executive … … — 2 Higher Clerical. Total … … 71 38 Gratuities were paid to 31 officers in the pensions branches temporarily placed on duties in advance of their respective grades. The amount so paid varied from £5 14s. to £151 2s. 3d.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HORLICKasked the Minister of Health what is the total amount for salaries being paid during the present financial year to the 491 new officials who have been appointed in his Department since 1st January, 1926; and what estimate has been made as to the value of the pension rights of these officials if capitalised?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe total annual cost of the salaries of the 491 officials newly appointed since 1st January, 1926
2120Win the pensions branches of my Department are as follow:
Number employed. Grade. Men. Women. Deputy-Controller 1 — Head of Branch 1 — Superintending Clerks 4 1 Accountants 2 — Higher Executive Officers 22 1 Junior Executive Officers 30 3 Higher Clerical Officers 18 9 Clerical Officers 205 73 Permanent non-pensionable Clerks. 35 — Writing Assistants — 159 Temporary Clerks 152 3 Total 470 249 The following posts in the lower clerical, higher clerical, junior executive and higher executive grades in my Department have been filled by promotion since the pensions branches were inaugurated:
would amount to £78,000, if the whole of these officers had served for the full financial year. My hon. and gallant Friend will, however, realise that the officers in question were recruited on varying dates over considerable period, that the number has not remained constant during the whole period, and that there may be resignations and consequent reductions before 31st March, 1927. To prepare an estimate of the capital value of the pension rights of these officials would necessitate a vast amount of time and labour, and might prove ultimately to be unreliable. It is estimated that for existing civil servants as a whole the value of superannuation privileges is approximately twelve and a half per cent. 2121W of salary (or wages) and bonus. For a particular group, however, the percentage may vary considerably from the average figure.