§ 37. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister for the Civil Service what, under his proposed pensions scheme, will be the effect of the changes he proposes in the level of public service pensions payable in respect of years prior to the pensioner's retirement for the purposes of the National Insurance Act.
§ Mr. ShoreMembers of public service occupational schemes who retire on pension before the State pension age will continue to receive an immediate pension as good as they get now. The Government do not intend that any adjustments on account of the State retirement pension should take effect before the State pension age.
Mr. Boyd-CarpenerCan the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that his assurance covers the case of a man or woman who defers retirement for National Insurance purposes, which is 70 or 65 respectively?
§ Mr. ShoreI would like to consider that point further, and I ask the right hon. Gentleman not to press me at present for a specific assurance.
§ Mr. HigginsCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether his first answer applies equally to those who are retiring in the future as well as those who have already retired and as far as future service is concerned as well as past service?
§ Mr. ShoreWe are about to embark upon a series of consultations with the 924 Civil Service unions and I would like an opportunity of hearing any proposals they wish to make before committing myself to detailed propositions.