HC Deb 16 March 1953 vol 512 c159W
56. Mr. Collick

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the establishment of a superannuation scheme for the locomotive footplate staff of British Railways; and when he anticipates such a scheme will be in operation.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am glad to say that I recently informed the Commission that I could agree in principle to the proposal to establish a pension scheme for wages grades. The outline of a proposed scheme has been agreed between the Commission and the Unions and submitted to me by them, but I have not yet been able to give them my observations on the particulars of the scheme. The working out of the scheme in full actuarial and other detail is likely to take some time.

Major Markham

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to be in a position to announce the new pensions scheme for railway staffs which is now being considered by the Transport Commission.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Approval in principle to the establishment of a comprehensive pension scheme for salaried staff of the British Transport Commission was given by my predecessor in 1949. The terms of such a scheme are a matter for negotiation, in the first place, between the Commission and the staff organisations and they have not yet been able to reach agreement.

I recently informed the Commission that I could agree in principle to the proposal to establish a pension scheme for wages grades. The outline of a proposed scheme has been agreed between the Commission and the unions and submitted to me by them, but I have not yet been able to give them my observations on it in detail. The working out of the scheme in full actuarial and other detail is likely to take some time.