HC Deb 01 December 1937 vol 329 cc2052-3
22. Captain Plugge

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the number of workmen who on attaining the age of 60 are discharged from the dockyards and sent to the Employment Exchange to offer their services, and who find a reluctance on the part of employers to engage them; and whether he will consider the possibility of giving to all employés a better pension than is now the case after 30 years of good service under the State?

Mr. Cooper

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to him on 7th July last. I am, however, able to add that by agreement on the Admiralty Industrial Council it has now been arranged that established workmen, who at the age of 60 are not entitled to a pension of 15s. a week, will be retained in the Service to augment their pension.

Captain Plugge

Is the Minister aware that the pensions system for dockyard workers is very much inferior to that of other branches of the Civil Service, and, in fact, to that enjoyed by the personnel of the Royal Navy itself?

Mr. Ellis Smith

Will the First Lord recommend his supporters to support the Motion which is on the Order Paper to-day as a means of carrying out the hon. and gallant Gentleman's wishes?

Mr. Shinwell

Does the First Lord not think that to give men a pension of 15s. at the age of 60 is most unfair, having regard to the fact that they are deprived of the opportunity of obtaining other employment?

Mr. Cooper

That is a matter of opinion.

Mr. Shinwell

Will not the right hon. Gentleman, as First Lord of the Admiralty, give his opinion?

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