§ 14. Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he will take to ensure the protection of pension rights of men and of women leaving the Civil Service.
§ Mrs. HartThe protection of pension rights of those leaving the Civil Service is being considered in the light of the proposals in Chapter 6 of the White Paper: National Superannuation and Social Insurance and of the recommendations of the Fulton Committee.
§ Sir B. Rhys WilliamsWhen can we expect legislation on this urgent matter?
§ Mrs. HartThe White Paper makes clear the Government's intention, which is that there shall be legislation covering most aspects of the White Paper, if not all of them, during the course of next Session. It is important that the committee which is at present reviewing the Civil Service pension scheme in the light of the White Paper should be able to come to proper conclusions on the basis of the most careful consideration of this aspect.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinMay I reinforce the urgency of this matter? Since the White Paper is not due to be implemented until April, 1972, is there not a case for the Government's taking a lead in this matter—in terms of their position as managers of an occupational pension scheme—and providing for transferability or preservation much earlier than that?
§ Mrs. HartWe have already set a very good example. There is complete freedom of movement within the public sector and, for certain grades, classes and ages, outside the public sector. It is in the full awareness of the importance of the preservation of pension rights that the proposals in the White Paper have been put forward, but there are many details to be meshed into the Civil Service superannuation scheme.
§ 15. Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether it is intended that men leaving the Civil Service before the age of 50 should be permitted to take a proportion of their pension rights as a lump sum.
§ Mrs. HartAny established civil servant who has 10 years' reckonable service and who leaves for other employment which is approved for the purpose may have his accrued pension benefits frozen and paid to him on eventual retirement. This arrangement covers the lump sum as well as the pension itself.
§ Sir B. Rhys WilliamsCan my right hon. Friend tell the House how many people have been accorded the benefit of this; concession?
§ Mrs. HartI am afraid that I should need separate notice of that question, but I shall gladly supply the hon. Gentleman with the information later.