HC Deb 20 January 1977 vol 924 cc297-8W
Mr. Jessel

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why the National Freight Corporation has to pay about £3 million annually in pensions for people who have never worked for it.

Mr. William Rodgers

When it was set up the National Freight Corporation inherited certain pensions liabilities, along with the other liabilities and assets, of subsidiaries transferred from the British Railways Board and the Transport Holding Company. I am considering the Corporation's claim that some of its pension obligations now represent an undue burden on its finances.