13. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the President of the Board of Trade why he has refused to allow the liquidator of the Raw Cotton 404 Commission to sanction the payment of pension claims or compensation claims to former employees of the Raw Cotton Commission so as to take account of their previous employment with the Cotton Control.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI have not so refused. Such payments are governed by the original pension scheme approved under the 1947 Act, and the statutory arrangements for compensation under the Cotton Act, 1954.
Mr. WilsonDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that because of the winding-up of the Raw Cotton Commission the pledges given in 1948 are now, in effect, not being honoured by the present Government? Will he agree to receive a deputation of some of the many Members of Parliament who are very concerned in this matter about the fate of their constituents?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNaturally, I should be very happy to receive the right hon. Gentleman or any other hon. Member at any time, as I always am. However, the account which the right hon. Gentleman gives is not an accurate one at all. The compensation payments are governed by legislation approved by the House of Commons in 1947 and also fully debated and approved as recently as 1954.