§ Mr. Nottasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contributions have been, or will be, made to employees' pension funds by the Government and the Boards of British Rail, the Post Office, British Gas Corporation, the British Steel Corporation, the National Coal Board, British Airways, the National Freight Corporation and the electricity industry for each of the financial years 1968–69 to 1975–76.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettContributions made by the Boards are a matter for the Boards themselves, and I am asking the Chairmen to write to the hon. Member. Since 1st October 1969, the Government have made payments of £11.25 million a quarter to the trustees of the Post Office Superannuation Fund under Section 47 of the Post Office Act 1969. Specific Government assistance to British Rail 65W pension funds under the Railways Act 1974 first became payable this year, and will total £97 million for the calendar
£ million 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 Contribution towards deficiency payments to the Mineworkers Pension scheme … … — — — — — 8.3 8.3 8.4* Premature pensions† 7.47 5.05 4.58 4.1 7.9 7.4 7.4 N/A *The National Coal Board (Finance) Bill now before Parliament, provides for annual contributions of up to £18 million in respect of deficiencies in the Mineworkers Pension Scheme. The payment for 1975–76 would be abated by £8.4 million at present payable under section 5 of the Coal Industry Act 1973 † The Government finance premature pensions paid to men who remain unemployed after completing three years under the Redundant Mineworkers Payments Scheme—which is wholly financed by the Government and does not affect the Board's Accounts—and contribute to premature pensions paid to members of the National Coal Board Staff Superannuation Scheme who are made redundant. N/A = Not available.