§ 11. Mr. DENNIS HERBERTasked the Minister of Transport whether any appli- 8 cation has been made to the Ministry of Transport by the railway companies, or any of them, for consent to, or approval of, any proposals for increased allowances to superannuated railway servants since the Resolution of this House of 2nd March last?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Sir Eric Geddes)I have received no such proposals up to the present, except suggestions that the whole cost of increasing pensions should be borne by the State, which I do not consider to be a proposal within the meaning of the question.
§ Mr. HERBERTIn the interests of his Department, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to let the superannuated railway servants understand that it is not the Government which is holding up these schemes, as appears to be indicated by the directors of the companies?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI shall be very glad to do that in any way possible, and if my hon. Friend can assist me by telling me how I can bring it to the notice of the superannuated railway servants I shall be glad.
§ Major BARNETTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the dissatisfaction and distress caused to the superannuated railway servants by the failure to give effect to the resolution carried unanimously in this House four months ago?
§ Sir E. GEDDESYes, I understand that there is disappointment, but I have no means by which I can advance the matter otherwise than by bringing it to the notice of the companies.