WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1979
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WIDOWS' AND CHILDREN'S PENSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL
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THE WIDOWS AND CHILDREN'S PENSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL, AIMED AT CLARIFYING TWO PROVISIONS OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. SELWYN ALLEYNE, SAID ONE AMENDMENT WILL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE DIRECTORS OF THE WIDOWS AND CHILDREN'S PENSIONS SCHEME ARE EMPOWERED TO DETERMINE THAT A PERIOD DURING WHICH A CHILD IS NOT ACTUALLY UNDERGOING INSTRUCTION MAY NONETHELESS BE TREATED AS A PERIOD OF FULL-TIME EDUCATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF A PENSION PAYABLE UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
+THIS AMENDMENT WILL REMOVE ANY DOUBT THAT THE PENSION OF A CHILD UNDERGOING FULL-TIME EDUCATION MAY CONTINUE TO BE PAID DURING VACATIONS, WHILST AWAITING EXAMINATION RESULTS OR PENDING ENTRY TO ANOTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, + MR. ALLEYNE SAID.
THE OTHER AMENDMENT WILL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE TOTAL PERIOD OF AN OFFICER'S CONTRIBUTORY SERVICE TO THE WIDOWS' AND CHILDREN'S PENSIONS SCHEME IN COMPLETE MONTHS SHALL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CALCULATING THE INTEREST PAYABLE ON CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE RETURNED.
+THIS AMENDMENT IS NEEDED TO COVER CASES WHERE AN OFFICER'S SERVICE HAS INCLUDED A PERIOD WITHOUT PAY (E.G. STUDY LEAVE WITHOUT PAY) AND HENCE A PERIOD DURING WHICH HE DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHEME,+ MR. ALLEYNE SAID.
+AS PREVIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS WILL HAVE CONTINUED TO BE HELD BY THE SCHEME DURING THE PERIOD OF LEAVE WITHOUT PAY IT IS CONSIDERED PROPER TO INCLUDE SUCH PERIOD IN CALCULATING INTEREST PAYABLE ON CONTRIBUTIONS WHICH MAY BE REFUNDED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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