§ 84. Wing Commander Grant-Ferrisasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make fresh representations to the Chairman of the British Transport Commission to reconsider some means of alleviating the hardships endured by the British Railways superannuitants, most of whom voted for exemption from the Old Age Pension Scheme in 1911 on the understanding that they would never be worse off financially whereas, after a lifetime of service devoted to the railways, they now find themselves living on less than the bare necessities of life.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI propose to discuss the situation again with the Chairman, but I must make it quite clear that in this matter I must leave the decision to the Commission.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will represent to the Chairman of the British Transport Commission the need for raising the pensions of British Railways 54W superannuitants in view of the hardship being suffered by many of these men.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given today to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Nantwich (Mr. Grant-Ferris).
§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that the purchasing power of the pensions of railway super-annuitants who have retired on half pay has not kept pace with the post-war inflation; and what steps he is willing to take to secure an improvement of their lot.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is "Yes". In reply to the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given today to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Nantwich (Mr. Grant-Ferris).