§ 2. Sir Eric Erringtonasked the Minister of Transport what was the mileage of disused railway routes in each region at 1st January, 1963;and, of that mileage, what proportion has not been in use for operational running purposes for more than two, four, six and eight years, respectively.
§ Mr. GalbraithThe British Railways Board have supplied the following figures:
aware that even after 40 years' service railwaymen are today retiring on pensions of only 10s. per week; and whether he will, in the public interest, give a general direction to the Railways Board that they should set up an inquiry to consider the whole question of railway pensions.
§ Mr. GalbraithRailway pension schemes are contributory, with benefits in accordance with the number of years of contributory membership, not ser- 169W vice. Railwaymen have been contributing to their current pension scheme since its introduction nine years ago.
My right hon. Friend does not think it would be appropriate for him to give a direction as suggested by my hon. Friend in matters which are primarily the management responsibility of the Board in consultation, in the established way, with representatives of their employees.