§ 4. Mr. McAddenasked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that a number of postmen, who enrolled in the 377 Widows' and Children's and the Dependants' Pension Scheme under the Superannuation Act, 1949, were not fully aware of their rights to contract out of the scheme; and whether he will afford further opportunity to contract out to such as so desire.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsAll established postmen were supplied with a form of option on which they could contract out of the Widows' and Children's Pension Scheme if they so desired. The form, which was agreed with the Staff side of the National Whitley Council, was accompanied by an explanatory booklet. During the period of option further publicity was arranged, both officially and through the staff associations, in order to ensure, so far as possible, that everyone completed the option in accordance with his wishes. The Superannuation Act, 1949, gives no power to Ministers to afford a further opportunity to staff to contract out after the termination of the six months period provided by the Act. I regret, therefore, that I cannot meet the hon. Member's request.
§ Mr. McAddenMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to look at this form again? He will find that there were two options which people could choose, and that there was another section which said, "If you do not wish to exercise either of these options, sign here." A lot of men who signed this section were under the impression that they put themselves out the scheme by so doing. The explanatory leaflet was not given to all the men at the time, and there was a great deal of misunderstanding.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI am sorry, but I have no power to interfere, although I appreciate that there might have been some misunderstanding. The Act prohibits me from interfering.