I move recommendation No. 5:—
In sub-section (4) (e), to delete all words after "if" in line 27 to the end of the paragraph and substitute either the established civil servant making the surrender, or the person benefiting therefrom, should die before the first payment arising from such a surrender becomes due.
My reason for proposing this recommendation is not to change the purpose of the clause, as I saw it, but to express it in terms that I thought more understandable. In the Bill the sub-section reads:—
"Notice of a surrender shall become null and void if, on a day on which the person wishing to make a surrender under this Act is an established civil servant, either that person or the proposed grantee of the pension under this Act dies."
I suggest that that should read:—
"notice of a surrender shall become null and void if either the established civil servant making the surrender, or the person benefiting therefrom, should die before the first payment arising from such a surrender becomes due."
I think that covers the meaning of the other clause. I said on the Second Stage that, having read it four or five times, I reached that conclusion. I may be wrong. At column 951 of Volume 46, No. 11, of the Official Report, the Minister said on the Second Stage debate on this Bill in this House:—
"I am not quite satisfied that it is even so clear as the Senator suggests. Perhaps that is something lacking in my interpretation of it. We will consider it between now and the Committee Stage."
The Minister granted me, therefore, that it was not very clearly worded. I notice he has not in fact suggested any better wording himself. I venture to hope that my wording covers the intention and that it will be found to be simpler than the original wording.