§ 32. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has now approved the proposals of the Central Electricity Authority for increasing pensions of all those in the industry, including ex-local authority pensioners, who retired before 1st April, 1952.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Aubrey Jones)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Cleveland (Mr. Palmer), Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) and West Ham, South (Mr. Elwyn Jones) on 26th November last.
§ Mrs. CastleThe Minister is surely aware that this matter has been dragging on for a very long time. Does he not realise that, when I asked the Parliamentary Secretary about it last summer, he said that he was awaiting proposals from the Central Electricity Authority and that the moment they came they would receive quick and sympathetic consideration from his Ministry? Is not nearly three weeks sufficient time to consider these matters which have been chewed over for so long?
§ Mr. JonesIt may have been chewed over for a long time by the Central Electricity Authority. My consideration 869 begins from the moment of submission, and I will certainly try to give an answer as soon as I can.