HC Deb 17 November 1952 vol 507 cc1378-80
15. Sir I. Fraser

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what increases under the Pensions (Increase) Act have been made to the pensions of ex-employees of the gas undertakings which were nationalised; on what dates; and how far the 1952 Act applies to such pensioners.

19 and 20. Mr. Storey

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) if he will make regulations to provide similar increases in pensions to retired employees of the North-Western Gas Board as they would have received under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1952, if the local authority undertaking by which the pensioner was originally employed had not been nationalised;

(2) if he will make regulations to provide similar increases in pensions to the retired employees of local authority gas undertakings as they would have received under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1952, if responsibility for their pensions had not been assumed by the North-Western Gas Board when the undertaking was nationalised.

21. Captain Duncan

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make regulations to provide increased superannuation to the workers of the Scottish Gas Board who were transferred from employment under local authorities on nationalisation, in view of the fact that employees of such local authorities who were employed on similar terms to gas workers have recently received increases in their superannuation.

26. Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make regulations to ensure that former employees of local authority gas undertakings who were transferred to the service of the Scottish Gas Board after nationalisation, and who subsequently retired, will be entitled to increases in their pensions similar to those awarded to retired local government officers under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1952.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

The Act mentioned does not apply to nationalised industries, but I am considering whether I should make regulations under the Gas Act, 1948, to give equivalent benefits to ex-municipal pensioners.

Sir I. Fraser

Will the Minister expedite a decision in this matter and bear in mind that a sense of very real injustice prevails with the small number of people who have served so well? Will he do what he can to bring them within any regulations which he proposes to make?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, Sir.

Captain Duncan

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that these people are, in most cases, old men who have done well for their local authorities in their time, and that they are really the victims of nationalisation?

Mr. Gibson

When the Government are considering this particular proposal, with which we all agree, will they also bear in mind the position of the superannuitants of the old railway companies, who are not affected by present legislation?

Mr. Lloyd

That is a different matter.

Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

Can the Minister say when he hopes to be able to make a further statement on this matter, which is of great importance to a small number of old servants of local gas undertakings?

Mr. Lloyd

I cannot say, but as soon as possible.

Mr. Lewis

Would the Minister consult the various Ministers concerned, because there are a number of employees in a like position, such as those who were formerly employed by a tramway corporation or a municipal borough? If he consults the various Ministers and finds that a number of others are affected, would he not agree that if he puts this matter right for one section he ought to put it right for all sections?

Mr. Lloyd

My responsibility is under the Gas Act. I would not like to undertake to answer for other Ministers.

Mr. Storey

Would my right hon. Friend see that he also covers the men who retired while the service was still a local authority service?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, Sir, I understand that that point is being considered.

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