Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

I want an explanation of the proviso at the end of this Clause which exempts any person from reduction of pension if he goes into some other occupation, in cases where the Secretary of State and the Treasury are satisfied that the employment in question will not continue for more than a year. The early part of the Clause lays it down that anybody who undertakes another occupation must have his pension reduced; but apparently if the employment is only for 12 months that will not apply.

I think that is a practical provision. If any pensionable officer takes up some definite Government appointment which carries with it a salary, and which, therefore, normally is for a period of years, a deduction is made from his pension; but a proviso is made that this should not apply to work which is purely of a temporary nature. An ex-Governor might take up some work for a month or three months or some such period, and that would not be equivalent to taking up new permanent employment.

If you come to the decision that a person had undertaken employment for longer than 12 months, and if the matter was questioned, would it be open to you to say whether such a person could recover the pension as from the commencement?

I expect so.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.