§ 41. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that any discussions with the British Transport Commission on the Guillebaud Report will include the position of railway superannuitants.
§ Mr. MarplesThe position of railway superannuitants is primarily a matter for the British Transport Commission.
The Guillebaud Committee reported to the British Transport Commission and the railway unions jointly and the Report is being considered by them within the established negotiating machinery.
§ Dame Irene WardHaving regard to the fact that the Guillebaud Report did not deal with railway superannuitants, has the British Transport Commission made any suggestions about dealing with them? Is my right hon. Friend aware that when I asked my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer about railway superannuitants yesterday he suggested that I should put down a Question to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport? Can my right hon. Friend explain to me why people in work are always entitled to have their claims considered while people who have done useful service on the railways are always neglected? It is absolutely monstrous.
§ Mr. MarplesI am aware of my hon. Friend's concern for the superannuitants, and I will see that Sir Brian Robertson and the Commission are made aware of her views.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that, whether or not this matter is involved in the Guillebaud Report, it is certainly involved in the whole process of railway reorganisation with which my right hon. Friend has shortly to deal?
§ Mr. MarplesThe unions and the British Transport Commission arranged for the Guillebaud Report, and the Report is to them and not to the Government. But there is no reason why either party should not bring this issue into the negotiations which are now proceeding.