§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the financial hardships suffered by pensioners who served in the Prison Service in Scotland owing to the disparities between their pensions and the present high cost of living; what representations he has received on their behalf from the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance (Scottish Branch); and if he will now specify the steps he is taking to remove the grievances of which they complain.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. R. A. Butler)As public service pensioners these pensioners are included in the review referred to by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary on 27th October.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Chancellor agree that, in the case of public servants, not to approximate their pay to the rising cost of living amounts to something in the nature of breach of contract and fraud? Will he try to approximate their pay to the rising cost of living?
§ Mr. ButlerI must answer the Question on the Order Paper. Fortunately I was able to give the hon. and learned Gentleman a favourable answer. If there is any further aspect which he wishes to raise, I hope he will write to me about it.
§ Mr. HoyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when these pensioners obtain employment to supplement their pension they receive a corresponding cut in the pension paid to them? Would he look at that aspect of the matter?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir. I am aware of these problems and I will certainly take into consideration the point raised by the hon. Member for Leith (Mr. Hoy).