HC Deb 22 May 1972 vol 837 cc1184-5

Queen's Recommendation having been signified—

Motion made, and Question proposed. That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to make further provision with respect to the contributory pensions scheme for Members of the House of Commons, and to establish a similar scheme for the holders of certain Ministerial and other offices, to make further provision with respect to pensions and related benefits payable to or in respect of persons who have been Prime Minister. Speaker of the House of Commons or Lord Chancellor, and to extend the application to Northern Ireland of certain enactments relating to pensions, it is expedient to authorize—

  1. (a)the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of any sums required by that Act to be so paid and any increase attributable to that Act in the sums so payable under any other enactment;
  2. (b)the charging on and payment out of the Consolidated Fund of any sums required by that Act to be so charged and paid and any increase attributable to that Act in the sums authorised or required to be so charged and paid under any other enactment; and
  3. (c)the payment into the Consolidated Fund of any sums required by that Act to be so paid.—[Mr Kenneth Baker.]

12.38 a.m.

Mr. Arthur Lewis (West Ham, North)

There is reference in the Money Resolution to Northern Ireland but there is nothing about this in the Bill. Can the Minister explain the reason for the extension to Northern Ireland?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Civil Service Department (Mr. Kenneth Baker)

Yes. This is a very complicated matter. It refers to an omission concerning certain very elderly civil servants in Northern Ireland who, I am advised, were dealt with in another Measure of this sort concerning Members' salaries. I cannot imagine why but I am advised that this is the case. If this provision were not included, they would be excluded from the benefit of the Pensions (Increase) Act.

Mr. Lewis

The hour is late and probably we can discuss this in Committee, because I am not quite happy with the position.

Question put and agreed to.