HC Deb 18 June 1956 vol 554 cc1026-8
2. Mr. N.Pannell

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking under Section 54 of the Electricity Act, 1947, to ensure that ex-employees of municipal corporations, whose pensions since the nationalisation of the electricity industry have been payable by the Central Electricity Authority, will gain benefits similar to those granted under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1956.

10. Mr. Palmer

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what requests he has received from the electricity and gas industries for him to apply the pension improvements of the Pension (Increase) Act, 1956, to their ex-municipal pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

The electricity and gas industries are responsible under existing Regulations for the payment of pensions under schemes made with my right hon. Friend's approval, and any question of improvement in benefits for ex-municipal employees is primarily a matter for consideration by the boards themselves. So far, no proposals have been submitted to him.

Mr. Pannell

Does not my hon. and learned Friend agree that there is at least a moral obligation on the Government, and on his Department, to ensure that these ex-employees of municipal corporations are not prejudiced as a result of nationalisation, and that they should receive the same measure of increase in pension as their colleagues in other departments which have not been nationalised?

Mr. Renton

The primary responsibility to observe any moral obligation that there may be rests upon the authorities concerned, and, of course, my right hon. Friend will consider carefully any proposals that they submit to him.

Mr. Palmer

Would not the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the 1952 Pensions (Increase) Act was applied to the electricity and gas industries? Surely that is an excellent precedent?

Mr. Renton

No, Sir. It would be wrong to say that the 1952 Act was applied to the ex-employees of these industries. It may have been taken into consideration to some extent, but it was certainly not applied.

9. Mr. Palmer

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now make a statement on the retrospective payment of the pension increases recently approved by him for ex-company pensioners in the electricity supply industry.

Mr. Renton

I am anxious that this question should be settled as quickly as possible. As the hon. Member knows, the Central Electricity Authority has asked for approval of retrospective payment to 1st April, 1954. This request raises questions which affect similar classes of pensioner in other industries and is still under consideration.

Mr. Palmer

I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for that answer. Would the hon. and learned Gentleman care to say whether it is the Treasury standing in the way, because in this case the industry is pressing?

Mr. Renton

The Treasury never stands in the way.