fund.

Sen. Alex Scott , Opposition Leader in the Upper House, wanted reassurance on the performance of the fund given the economic turbulence of recent years. He was speaking as senators passed two orders increasing pensions for civil servants and ex-MPs in line with rises in inflation.

Sen. Scott said he was concerned the most recent actuarial information on the fund appeared to have been produced in 1990.

"We would like to know right up front, what is the state of the performance of this fund.

"Pension funds are notorious for running into difficulties and then leaving the beneficiaries high and dry, and we would not wish that to happen.

"Maybe there's a certain mystery around the discussion of pension funds and investments and actuaries and the like, because the Government doesn't seem to have been keeping its members fully abreast of the pension programme.

"I think it's important just to make sure that the public have full information on the health of this fund.'' But it was not his party's object to point the finger at Government management of the fund, he said.

Sen. Wendell Hollis (UBP) replied: "I'm reliably informed that all the funds are in good health.'' He said information would be provided in the Senate on Wednesday if possible.