MR. T. F. RICHARDSI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any knowledge concerning the Edinburgh and Leith Gas Commissioners who have given notice to their pensioners that they will reduce their pensions from 10s. per week to 8s. per week in order that they many receive the full 5s. per week from the Government; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter.
§ MR. HOBHOUSEUnder their Provisional Order of 1902 the Edinburgh and Leith Corporations Gas Commissioners are authorised to grant allowances to aged and disabled employees, the amount of such allowances being left in the absolute discretion of the Commissioners, subject to the proviso that it shall not exceed one-half the amount of the wage paid to the employee at the time of Ms retirement or disablement. My right hon. friend is informed that the Commissioners have now reduced the allowances of five or six of their beneficiaries, who are over seventy years of age, from 10s. to 8s. a week, and in one other case from 8s. 6d. to 8s. a week, so as to enable the men to obtain the full pension of 5s. a week from the Government. The Commissioners appear to be acting within their rights in the matter.