asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether he will name the groups for whom he has financial responsibility whose incomes from salaries and pensions are estimated, after allowing for the decreases in purchasing power and rises in the cost of living, to be equivalent to those payable in 1952, as is the case of people covered by the Pensions (Increase) Act and receiving pensions under the Royal Warrant.

Mr. Amory:

I could not say without disproportionate expenditure of time whether the movements in salaries everywhere in this field since 1952 have maintained purchasing power at the 1952 level. As my hon. Friend well knows, the Pensions (Increase) Acts were intended to deal with cases of hardship and not to increase all public service pensions in proportion to the cost of living.

Will my right hon. Friend accept my services, and take it from me that there are no groups which are in the unfortunate position of those to whom I refer in my Question? Will he reconsider his decision and try to deal generously with those who have served the State well?

Mr. Amory:

I will certainly accept my hon. Friend's services.

asked the Chancellor of the exchequer if he will give an assurance that no action will be taken on the Coleraine Committee's recommendations for increased remuneration for the higher civil servants, without a further Pensions Increase Act, the counting of unestablished service for pensions purposes and the increase of pensions under the Royal Warrant.

Mr. Amory:

My hon. Friend will not expect me to give any such assurance.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that senior civil servants, whose integrity and competence are unassailable, would prefer that their predecessors, who made possible their succession and who helped to build up our present Civil Service, should be generously treated, and that it would make succeeding civil servants much happier if the Treasury could behave as a good and generous employer should?

Mr. Amory:

The Treasury does try, I think with success, to behave as a good and generous employer, and I will take note of what my hon. Friend has said.