I move:—
That a sum not exceeding £612,330 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1956, for Pensions, Superannuation, Compensation (including Workmen's Compensation), and Additional and other Allowances and Gratuities under the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1954, and sundry other Statutes; Extra-Statutory Pensions, Allowances, and Gratuities awarded by the Minister for Finance; fees to Medical Referees and occasional fees to Doctors; Compensation and other Payments in respect of Personal Injuries; etc.
The total net Estimate for Superannuation and Retired Allowances for 1955-56 is £918,330, an increase of £105,300 over last year's original net Estimate or, since a Supplementary Estimate for £50,000 had to be taken during that year, an increase of £55,300 on the net amount finally provided for 1954-55. The increase in expenditure is due mainly to the fact that the number of pensioners continues to grow and also that the proportion of pensioners who have retired on present salary levels is increasing.