§ 25. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the letter, dated 5th April, 1959, from the Aberdeen Branch of the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance (Scotland Branch), sent to him by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North; what steps he has taken or plans to take to improve the standard of living of these pensioners; and what reply he has made to the submissions made to him by the deputation from this body which he received on 23rd February, 1959.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. J. E. S. Simon)The hon. and learned Member sent the letter to me on 17th April. In reply I have referred him to the announcement in my right hon. 1450 Friend's Budget speech that proposals for legislation to improve public service pensions will be put before the House shortly. The deputation I received on 23rd February was from the Public Service Pensioners' Council, on which the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance is represented. I undertook to draw their representations to the attention of my right hon. Friend, and I did so.
§ Mr. HughesI thank the Minister for his reply, which I received after I had put down the Question, but does he realise that these unfortunate people are caught between Scylla and Charybdis in not only having reduced pensions but also having to face an increased cost of living? In the steps he contemplates taking, will he bear that fact in mind?
§ Mr. SimonYes, but there is no question of their having reduced pensions. The pensions have been increased twice since 1951. There is no question but that the cost of living has increased since the last Penions (Increase) Act, and it was for that reason that my right hon. Friend made his announcement.