§ 7. Dame Irene Wardasked the Paymaster-General why, in accepting a pensions increase for ex-municipal employees of the gas and electricity authorities, he has discriminated against ex-company employees and refused to accept that part of the proposals of the British Gas Staff Association which recommended that both categories of pensioners should have increases.
§ Mr. MaudlingMy noble Friend is considering the representations my hon. Friend has made to him.
§ Dame Irene WardWill my right hon. Friend convey to his noble Friend the appreciation of the Gas Board, the Central Electricity Authority, the staff associations and myself? Will he also say that we shall expect action, and will he explain to his noble Friend that I have always supported the adage, "Discretion is the better part of valour", and that we thank him very much?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am sure that my noble Friend will pay very close attention to what my hon. Friend has just said.
§ 8. Dame Irene Wardasked the Paymaster-General when he proposes to lay before Parliament the Regulations regarding increased pensions for ex-employees of the electricity and gas industries.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo new Regulations are required to give effect to these increases.
§ Dame Irene WardWould it not be good if, in the future, we could have the Regulations debated in the House so that we might avoid some of the unpleasant. difficult and unjust decisions we have had to face lately?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think so. The Regulations empower my noble Friend to approve suggestions for increased pensions, and if the increases are not accepted in full it is quite clear that the matter can be brought before the House.
§ Mr. PalmerMay I assume that the right hon. Gentleman will not overlook the point that the electricity industry is very anxious to make these payments?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am quite aware of that point, which the hon. Gentleman has made on a previous occasion.