MINERS PENSION FUND SURPLUSES

Early day motion 744, tabled 13 February 2003 by Michael Clapham (Labour). Signed by 83 members.

That this House recognises that the Treasury is finally proposing new ways of guaranteeing miners' pensions for the future but, according to the Coalfield Communities Campaign's latest calculation is still due to take £3.5 billion historical surpluses out of the two schemes at a time when many retired miners are struggling to make ends meet; and requests that Her Majesty's Government give consideration to leaving more of the past surpluses with the schemes to be used to increase pensioner incomes and also introduce a fairer division of future surpluses in accordance with the recent asset and liability study recommendation, whilst continuing to provide support to help renew and rebuild mining communities.

Signatures by party: Labour 66, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 5, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.