HC Deb 26 July 1937 vol 326 cc2675-6W
Mr. Thorne

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, with regard to the counting of temporary service for pensions for civil servants and age-barred officers who are denied establishment, if he is aware that there are about 700 members of the staff at the Ministry of Agriculture affected by this harsh treatment because of the Treasury refusing to grant pension-ability to men over 50 years of age; and what action he intends taking about the matter?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

I understand that the number of persons employed in pensionable grades in the Ministry of Agriculture who are ineligible for establishment on age grounds is about 20, but if the hon. Member will give me particulars of the manner in which his figure of 700 is calculated, I will have further inquiry made. On the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 22nd July to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson) and other hon. Members.

Mr. Maclean

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a departmental inquiry is being held at present into the question of the treatment, for pension purposes, of ex-service men in the Civil Service and, if so, whether a statement will be made before the Adjournment; and whether, if such inquiry is not being head, he will set up a public committee of inquiry into the above-mentioned matter before the House adjourns?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 22nd July to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson) and other hon. Members.