HC Deb 16 January 1986 vol 89 c1336

Queen's Recommendation having been signified—

12.14 am
The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Timothy Raison)

I beg to move, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Crown Agents (Amendment) Bill, it is expedient to authorise any remission of interest on the commencing capital debt of the Crown Agents for the period 1987–1991; and in this resolution "commencing capital debt" has the same meaning as in the Crown Agents Act 1979. The money resolution is straightforward. It reflects the narrow and specific purpose of the Crown Agents (Amendment) Bill on which we had a full debate in Second Reading Committee last month. There is nothing of substance that I can add, arid I commend the resolution to the House.

12.15 am
Mr. Stuart Holland (Vauxhall)

I do not want unduly to detain the House at this hour, but issues were raised in Committee concerning the special estates of the staff of the Crown Agents pensions division at East Kilbride. The Minister assured us that he would seek to settle the matter by the end of December. Has he done that? If he has not, why not, and when can we expect a decision? We are prepared to anticipate that we shall get a better decision by waiting, but the Minister will appreciate the great anxiety of staff about their future and we should like to know when there might be a decision.

Mr. Raison

With the leave of the House, I should like to reply. I am afraid that I have to tell the hon. Gentleman that the matter is still under consideration. We have not yet been able to make a decision and I cannot say what the likely outcome will be. I realise the need to get on with it. I also realise that there is interest in it in East Kilbride.

I am anxious that we should make a decision as soon as possible. It has proved quite a complex matter—there are several interests that have to be taken into account, including the interests of my Department that pensions work is most effectively done, the interests of the Crown Agents and the interests of those concerned. I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are keen to get the matter settled as soon as possible, and I shall do all that I can to that end.

Question put and agreed to.