§ 31. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement as to the instructions of a general character which he intends to give to the British Transport Commission to ensure that employees who contribute in full both to a superannuation scheme and under the National Health Insurance Act, 1949, will be entitled on reaching 65 years of age to receive both their superannuation and their retirement pensions in full, and that no deductions will be made from one in respect of the other.
§ Mr. BarnesBecause of the pension provisions of the National Insurance Act, 1946, the British Transport Commission proposes that the rules of the present superannuation funds should be modified and that members of the funds at 31st December, 1947, should be given the option of continuing their existing rates of contributions and benefits or of reducing their contributions with corresponding reductions in benefits on retirement. Details of the proposed modifications are being worked out and will be discussed with the trade unions who have, I understand, already accepted the principle involved.
§ Mr. RentonIn view of the reply which the right hon. Gentleman has just given, could he explain how it is that certain railway employees, contributing in full both to National Insurance and to their own superannuation schemes, are having deductions made? If he does not know of that, will he please look into it further?
§ Mr. BarnesIf the hon. Member will give specific instances I am sure the British Transport Commission will look into the matter. If he will read my reply carefully, he will be able to see whether it is a contravention of that statement or not.
§ Mr. Sidney ShephardCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether new employees will be entitled to participate in superannuation?
§ Mr. BarnesNo, I cannot say; that appears to me to be another Question.
§ 32. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Railway Executive are deducting from the salaries of railway clerks, stationmasters and supervisors, who contribute to a superannuation fund, all sickness benefits due under the National Insurance Act, even though full insurance contributions have been paid; by what authority such deductions were made; and if he will make a statement as to the instructions of a general character which he intends to give to the British Transport Commission to ensure that the employees concerned obtain full satisfaction of their rights as to sickness benefit under the National Insurance Act, 1946, and Part VII of the Transport Act, 1947.
§ Mr. BarnesSick pay does not come out of any superannuation fund but is granted by the Railway Executive. Their regulations, I understand, have been adjusted to take into account the sickness benefits provided under the National Insurance Act, 1946. The principle followed is that sick pay and State benefit together shall not exceed the equivalent of standard full pay. It is not for me to give the British Transport Commission instructions on such a matter.
§ Mr. RentonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that employees who before July, 1948, were contributing to a superannuation scheme are, in fact, being treated differently from other employees, and will he tell the House why there is this discrimination?
§ Mr. BarnesI can give only a general statement with regard to this specific case. The hon. Gentleman should take the matter up with the British Transport Commission, or if he will furnish me with the information I will see it is looked into.