HC Deb 02 December 1968 vol 774 cc1003-4
1. Mr. Biffen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated number of employees now covered by private occupational retirement pension schemes; what percentage this represents of the total number of employees; how this compares with the position 10 years ago; and what proposals he has to maintain and encourage the private provision of retirement pensions.

The Secretary of State for Social Services (Mr. Richard Crossman)

It is estimated that just over 12 million employees were members of occupational pension schemes at the end of 1967; this represents about 50 per cent. of all employees. Comparable figures which are available for 1956 are, just over 8 million employees and about 35 per cent., respectively. On the last part of the Question, I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the publication of the Government's proposals later this winter.

Mr. Biffen

Will not the right hon. Gentleman take this opportunity to express his extreme satisfaction at the remarkable success story in the growth of private provision of retirement pensions and give us the assurance that private schemes will not be unfairly disadvantaged under any proposals which he might have?

Mr. Crossman

Yes, I can certainly record my pleasure at the steady expansion of the schemes. Although I must ask the hon. Member to await the actual details of our scheme, I should like to wager that the scheme which we have designed has been expressly tailored to fit in as a partnership with the private schemes and not as something to replace them.

Mr. Worsley

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that he has a reputation for being hostile to these schemes. Would he go a little further and say specifically that it is the Government's policy to encourage these schemes?

Mr. Crossman

I do not know what is "further" and what is not. What I said is that our scheme is designed to work in partnership with the private schemes. That means to encourage their growth and to provide, not a substitute, but a service which they cannot themselves provide. As for my reputation, the hon. Member may remember that I was, I think, one of the chief authors of national superannuation in 1957, in which the whole concept of contracting out was first invented.