HC Deb 07 February 1957 vol 564 cc594-5
24. Mr. Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that former Prime Ministers are able to claim a pension of £2,000 per annum on vacating office, whereas Members of Parliament, who only receive one-tenth of the salary of a Prime Minister, are not entitled to claim any pension; and whether he will remedy this anomaly by introducing legislation conferring non-contributory pension rights upon Members of Parliament.

Mr. Powell

I am aware of the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Minister of the Crown Act, 1937, but I see no connection between them and the question of pensions for Members of Parliament.

Mr. Lewis

Does the Minister see the connection in the fact that Ministers, civil servants and former Prime Ministers all receive much higher salaries than Members of Parliament but do not have to meet the cost of their postage and other expenses as Members of Parliament do? Why should Members of Parliament be compelled to contribute to a pension fund upon which they can make no claim? They are not entitled to claim a pension. Surely they should at least be treated in the same way as civil servants or former Prime Ministers in this matter?

Mr. Powell

I distinguish there at least four separate questions, none of which is on the Paper.

Captain Pilkington

Before Members of Parliament vote themselves bigger pensions, would it not be better to deal with certain deserving sections of the population—for instance, old-age pensioners?

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not really invidious that hon. Members who have served many years in this House and who have reached an advanced age should be compelled, in reduced circumstances, to apply to the pension fund which is subject to a means test? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is the only Parliament in the world, certainly among the Commonwealth countries, where no pension scheme is available?

Mr. Powell

I am asked here to comment on an alleged anomaly between pensions for ex-Prime Ministers and the absence of a non-contributory pension for Members of Parliament. I see no such anomaly, and therefore no reason for legislation to correct it.

Mr. Callaghan

Quite apart from any particular anomaly contained there, may we not ask the hon. Gentleman to display a little sympathy and humanity in this matter? Is he not aware, as a result of his years of experience in this House, that a number of our older colleagues are really getting to a very difficult stage indeed, and grave hardship is liable to overtake them? Now that we have had a clean sweep at the Treasury, may we not ask the new Treasury team to consider this question with a sense of humanity?

Mr. Powell

If there is such a case, it is not connected with the existence of a pension for ex-Prime Ministers.

Mr. Lewis

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, the cold reply from the Minister, and his manner of dealing with this question, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at an early opportunity on the Adjournment of the House.