§ 42. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will state the actual number of British Railways superannuitants who received new money as a result of the 1956 award; and what was the actual cost to the British Transport Commission of this award.
§ Mr. NugentAbout 14,300 additional persons were awarded pension supplements under the Commission's 1956 scheme at an annual cost of nearly £400,000.
§ Dr. JohnsonIs my hon. Friend aware that there is still a serious feeling of hardship concerning this award in 1956? Will he not represent to the Commission that many of these annuitants are of advanced years and will no longer be able to benefit from any further action unless it is taken promptly?
§ Mr. NugentI think the Commission is well aware of the difficulties of these retired persons, but the Commission's problem is to equate the difficulties of the annuitants with the burden at present falling upon the taxpayer because of the Commission's deficit.
§ Dr. KingWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the increase he granted, although meagre and limited in scope, is very much appreciated by the super-annuitants? Will he continue to make representations to the British Transport Commission to adjust these tiny pensions to the rising cost of living?
§ Mr. NugentI must point out to the hon. Gentleman that we did not grant the increases. It is for the Commission to judge what can be granted. I think the Commission is well aware of the difficulties of these people, and, within its very limited means, when there is this big deficit in its accounts, it does what it can.