§ 9.30 p.m.
§ Colonel Sir Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre (New Forest)I beg to move,
That, in pursuance of the provisions of section 3 of the House of Commons Members' Fund Act 1948, the maximum annual amounts of the periodical payments which may be made out of the House of Commons Members' Fund under the House of Commons Members' Fund Act 1939, as amended by the said Act of 1948 and by the Resolutions of 360 the House of 17th November, 1955, 7th March, 1957, and 17th May, 1961, be varied as from 1st April, 1965, as follows:—I apologise for the length of this Motion. Its purport and intent is very small. The House will realise that in a few weeks' time there will be an increase in National Insurance pensions. Under our existing rules that would have to be taken into account when we awarded pensions or made awards under our scheme. We have thought it right to produce this Motion because we feel that it will be the wish of the House that, if we give money, that is done in our own right and should not be affected by what may be done by the Government for the nation. In other words, someone who is receiving an award from us should not be worse 361 off because of decisions made by the Government.
- (a) in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the said Act of 1939, as so amended (which provides that the annual amounts of any periodical payment made to any person by virtue of his past membership of the House of Commons shall not exceed £500 or such sum as, in the opinion of the trustees, will bring his income up to £700 per annum, whichever is the less; provided that if, having regard to length of service and need, the trustees think fit, they may make a larger payment not exceeding £900 or such sum as, in their opinion, will bring his income up to £1,100 per annum, whichever is the less), for "£700" there shall be substituted "£750" and for "£1,100" there shall be substituted "£1,150".
- (b) in paragraph 2 of the said Schedule (which provides that the annual amount of any periodical payment to any person by virtue of her being a widow of a past member of the House of Commons shall not exceed £300 or such sum as, in the opinion of the trustees, will bring her income up to £500 per annum, whichever is the less; provided that if, having regard to her husband's length of service or to her need, the trustees think fit, they may make a larger payment not exceeding £450 or such sum as, in the opinion of the trustees, will bring her income up to £650 per annum, whichever is the less), for "£500" there shall he substituted "£550" and for "£650" there shall be substituted "£700"; and
- (c) in paragraph 2A of the said Schedule (which provides that the annual amount of any periodical payment made to any such widower shall not exceed £300 or such sum as, in the opinion of the trustees, will bring his income up to £500 per annum, whichever is the less; provided that if, having regard to his wife's length of service or to his need, the trustees think fit, they may make a larger payment not exceeding £450 or such sum as, in the opinion of the trustees. will bring his income up to £650 per annum, whichever is the less) for "£500" there shall be substituted "£550" and for "£650" there shall be substituted "£700".
To that end, we have produced this Motion. It will be seen that there is no increase in the overall figure, but it allows for people awarded pensions to be no worse off than they would have been in the past. I hope that I may, on behalf of myself and my fellow trustees, commend this Motion to the House.
§ Question put and agreed to.