HC Deb 10 December 1956 vol 562 cc13-4
21. Captain Duncan

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now in a position to announce his approval of the scheme for an increase in pensions of ex-municipal gas employees submitted to him by the Gas Council.

22. Sir I. Clark Hutchison

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now make regulations under the Gas Act, 1948, to give ex-municipal pensioners benefits similar to those conferred on other retired local government officers by the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1956.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Fuel and Power (Mr. David Renton)

I cannot yet add to the answer that my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) on 3rd December.

Captain Duncan

When will my hon. and learned Friend be able to add to that answer? Is he aware that there are similar people who are still pensioners of local authorities and have not been the victims of nationalisation? They have received their increase, with effect from 1st April. These people in my Question are still waiting. Will my hon. and learned Friend be able to make a statement before Christmas?

Mr. Renton

This is a most complicated matter, in which various Departments are concerned. It would be quite wrong for me, in view of the consultations which have to take place, to fix a date when I could give my hon. and gallant Friend a definite reply.

Sir I. Clark Hutchison

Arising out of that rather unsatisfactory reply, may I ask my hon. and learned Friend to endeavour to make this decision before the New Year, as the matter has been outstanding for very many months?

Mr. Renton

My hon. Friend says that the matter has been outstanding for a long time, but in fact the proposals reached my right hon. Friend only in October. Various parties have to be consulted, and I could not give an undertaking that a decision will be reached before Christmas.

Mr. Shurmer

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman consider also the question of pensioners from municipal electricity undertakings who are in the same position as pensioners mentioned in the Questions? This question has been outstanding for a long time, and these people are suffering too.

Mr. Renton

That is another question.