HC Deb 05 May 1953 vol 515 cc194-5
28. Mr. Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what approaches have been made to him by the London Transport Executive to have included within the scope of the Pensions Increase Acts the former tramway employees of the West Ham, Croydon, Walthamstow and London County Council Tramway Corporations; and what was the nature of his reply.

Mr. R. A. Butler

No such approach has been made.

Mr. Lewis

Does the Chancellor not agree that it is rather unfair that a group of old people such as these, who have given good service, should be deprived of the benefits of the Pensions Increase Acts which are received by their colleagues, with whom they formerly worked? Is it not unfair that they should be deprived of the benefits because of an apparent reluctance on the part of the London Transport Executive to make an application to his Department? Will the Chancellor make an approach to the London Transport Executive to see whether he can initiate some discussions?

Mr. Butler

The difficulty is that under the Acts to which the hon. Member refers the Treasury Regulations can only empower pension authorities to pay pension increases and cannot force them to do so. I do not think that the present Government, any more than their predecessors, would feel it right to use force in these circumstances.

Mr. Lewis

Is the right hon. Gentle-aware that a few of these people, who were compulsorily transferred some years ago, cannot get the benefits of the Pensions Increase Acts, whereas their colleagues, who have remained in the council's service, are receiving pensions increases? Does he not think that at least he could ask the London Transport Executive to make an approach to his Department for the purpose of bringing them within the scope of these Acts? Could he not suggest that?

Mr. Butler

Our position is that we would await an approach. That is why I said, in my original answer, that no such approach had been made. If the answer to this Question has any such results, it may have the required effect. Perhaps the hon. Member might himself have some effect.