Opposition Leader asks questions about Pension Benefits Increase

 At the 22 July sitting of the Legislative Council,  Leader of the Opposition Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal asked the Minister of Finance Health and Welfare about the Pension Scheme. The Minister had earlier on announced an increase in pensions. Hon. Ralph O'Neal asked Hon. Ronnie Skelton to confirm if the date announced for these increased pensions was met and if such payments were not made, would the Minister be in a position to say when they will be paid.

The Minister of Finance Health and Welfare, Hon Ronnie Skelton explained that he did announce to the Honorable  House that it was the Government’s intentions to pay increased pension benefits by the end of May 2004, however they were unable to meet the deadline due to factors outside of their control.

Mr. Skelton said that he was pleased to report that on the Order of the Day the Chief Minister was to give the first reading to the Pension Increase Act 2004. He said as soon as the approval process is finalized he sees no reason why pensioners should not receive the increased pension benefit backdated to January 2003.

Hon. Ralph O'Neal asked  Hon. Skelton to give him a tentative date, and if it was possible to have them paid by the end of August or September. Hon. Skelton answered that from where he stands, the Ministry of Finance is willing and able to pay the pension to pensioners, but it is controlled by the Human Resource Department and under Government control. He further stated that he doesn't see any reasons why they will not be able to pay these pensions by the deadline of August month end or September.

Mr. O'Neal also asked Mr. Skelton to confirm whether former legislators who are currently in receipt of pension will receive increased pensions and whether the widows of former legislators who are receiving pensions would also receive increased pensions backdated to January 2003.

The Minister of Finance Health and Welfare explained that pension benefits for former legislators and widows of former legislators are determined by a separate Act called the Returning Allowances for Legislative Service.

He added that nowhere in that Act it is stated that the responsibility of increasing the pension benefits to former legislators and the widows of former legislators falls to the Minister of Finance.