HC Deb 28 June 1967 vol 749 cc687-9

Question proposed, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

Mr. Clark Hutchison

I do not wish to detain the House but I have a question to ask. I must declare an interest, in that, should I die, my wife, or widow as she would then be, would receive £199 per year from this Fund. What I want to know is, what provision is being made to deal with inflation and the possible loss in the value of money? I ask not only on behalf of my wife but on behalf of the wives, or widows as they may be, of the many hundreds—indeed, thousands—of British officers who serve or have served in Aden.

This time, may I please have an answer from the Minister? I did not get an answer to my question about the Red Sea lights. I should be very grateful if the Minister would look at this question, and answer it, and the other one I put to him earlier this evening.

Mr. George Thomson

This Fund is being wound up, under the Bill, as part of the proceedings towards independence. It is proposed that the moneys at present held by the Aden Fund will be paid into the Exchequer, and the British Exchequer will be responsible for honouring that obligation under the Fund. I am not sure whether that reassures the hon. Member about the value of pensions being retained, but the pensions under this Fund will certainly be honoured by the Exchequer, in the same way as other similar pensions are at present.

Mr. Clark Hutchison

I understand that, but I am concerned about inflation and the fall in the value of money. What is to happen to the widows of officers of the Aden Government if money loses its value? Will their pensions be made up to their present value?

Mr. Thomson

I do not wish to engage in a political argument with the hon. Gentleman on a matter such as this which affects many people whose future living conditions are at stake. I think that it would be best if I were to look into the matter properly and write to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Robert Cooke (Bristol, West) rose—

Hon. Members

Oh.

Mr. Cooke

My hon. Friend takes this matter more seriously than some hon. Members opposite, who seem more interested in going home to bed. He has a long association with the matters he has raised, and he was quite right to ask the question which he put to the Minister of State. My question to the right hon. Gentleman, which I hope he will consider when he takes the problem away and thinks about it, is this. Would it not be better, instead of passing these funds—as he euphemistically put it—straight to the Exchequer, to guard against future inflation by investing them in some worth while security so that, as their value appreciates, the people concerned may benefit?

Mr. Thomson

I undertake to write to the hon. Gentleman on that.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 5 ordered to stand part of the Bill.