§ 37. Mr. G. H. R. Rogersasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now make regulations requiring the British Transport Commission to give more generous financial assistance to railway superannuitants.
§ 34. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now review the position of veteran railway pensioners and annuitants, in view of the fact that the actual value of their pensions has considerably deteriorated in the past two years.
§ Mr. WatkinsonDiscussions are taking place with the Commission on the question of further assistance to pensioners, but I am not yet able to make a statement.
§ Mr. RogersWill the Minister be a little more helpful than his predecessor in this matter? We tried to get his predecessor to encourage the Transport Commission to give more generous assistance to these very hard-pressed people, and I should be glad if the right hon. Gentleman would be a little more helpful in this matter than was his predecessor.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe hon. Member will, I think, agree that this is something I must look at myself. I have not yet had time to discuss it with the Chairman of the Transport Commission.
§ Mr. CollickIs the Minister aware that railway men with over fifty years of service are getting as little as 3s. superannuation a week? Surely the Government can find means of making their position a little better. Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking accordingly?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am well aware of the position, and I have just said that I will discuss it with the Chairman of the Transport Commission as soon as I can.
§ Dame Irene WardWhen does my right hon. Friend think he will be in a position to give an answer? May I thank him for saying that he will look into the whole matter himself, which is a distinct improvement on what has happened in the past?
§ Mr. MonslowWill the Minister take into consideration that there has been no discrimination as between the respective grades?