HC Deb 12 June 1947 vol 438 cc1391-2

5.45 p.m.

Mr. Ede

I beg to move, in page 44, line 5, at the end, to insert:

1 Edw. 8 & 1 Geo. 6. c. 68 The Local Government Superannuation Act, 1937. In the First Schedule, in Part II, paragraph 2.
1 Edw.8 & 1 Geo. 6. c. 69. The Local Government Superannuation (Scotland) Act, 1937. In the First Schedule, in Part II, paragraph 2.
Clause 26 (2, a) makes it possible to exclude from a firemen's pension scheme certain classes of persons who, although members of fire brigades, will not be active fire fighters. The object of this Amendment is to ensure that the provision in the Local Government Superannuation Act, 1937, and the corresponding Scottish Act, which was directed at professional firemen, will not operate to exclude those persons from superannuation rights under those Acts. Professional firemen were excluded from the Local Government Superannuation Acts except for a handful of special cases. It is thought that the definition of "professional firemen "might unintentionally cover members of fire brigades excluded from the firemen's pension scheme and, therefore, deprive them of superannuation rights. We desire to avoid that.

Mr. J. S. C. Reid (Glasgow, Hillhead)

There is a later Amendment to exclude Scotland from the Bill, but I notice that part of this Amendment refers to Scotland. I take it that by accepting this Amendment we shall not be prejudicing our position so far as the main Amendment later is concerned. Perhaps that could be made clear. If that is so, I have nothing more to say. Otherwise, we might have to pursue the matter on this Amendment.

The Deputy Chairman

That later Amendment will be called.

Mr. Ede

I did make some remarks in Standing Committee about the desirability of Home Rule for England.

Amendment agreed to.

Schedule, as amended, agreed to.

Bill reported, with Amendments.

As amended (in the Standing Committee and on re-commital), considered.