§ Mr. GapesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from Plessey-Siemens pensioners on changes in benefits from GEC; and what response he has made.
§ Miss WiddecombeI have been asked to reply.
We have received some 40 or 50 letters from, or on behalf of, Plessey pensioners. In response, we have explained that arrangements for splitting the Plessey fund have been submitted to the High Court for approval and that, in the meantime, all former Plessey pensioners have received increases amounting to 31 per cent. over the past 16 months. We have also explained that the withdrawal of a free private health care plan is a matter for the company as employer, rather than for the pension scheme.