§ 20. Mr. Palmerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes to bring in a new Pensions (Increase) Bill to improve the pensions of public service pensioners during the present Parliamentary session.
§ Mr. DiamondI have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Sir T. Beamish) on 1st December.
§ Mr. PalmerWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that the need for a regular review of public service pensions is now a matter of some concern to the trade unions involved?
§ Mr. DiamondYes, indeed. The Government are bearing that in mind, which is why the matter is now under review.
§ Sir Rolf Dudley WilliamsDoes not the hon. Gentleman know that many sections of the public service are absolutely seething at the way their pensions are being eroded by the inflation taking place under the present Government? Will he give immediate attention to rectifying this scandalous state of affairs?
§ Mr. DiamondThe Government have been in power a very short time. I cannot accept the implication of the hon. Gentleman's question. I am aware that he has been interested in this matter for a very long time and, quite properly, has been pursuing it for at least 13 years.