§ 22. Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he is satisfied with current arrangements for the retirement of civil servants.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisYes.
§ Mr. JannerWhat is the Government's policy regarding the age at which men and women civil servants may retire? Does the Minister accept that the age should be the same for both? If so, how does he explain the discrepancies in practice between various Government Departments?
§ Mr. MorrisAt 60 an officer, male or female, may retire at his or her wish, or be retired at the instigation of his or her employing Department. There are no inconsistencies in Civil Service retirement policy.
§ Mr. HayhoeAs the retirement pension of Civil Servants is so much related to pay, can the Minister now answer clearly the question put to him twice about the Government's attitude to the Pay Research Unit's report and their own guidelines? Is the Minister saying that, on the basis of the PRU reports, the Government will agree to increases outside their guidelines?
§ Mr. MorrisI have made no such assertion, and certainly I have made no such statement. I have said that in the negotiations the Government must take account of our pay policy. As for Civil Service pensions, as I have no doubt the 23 hon. Member will recall, the Government Actuary will be looking at the paper deductions for Civil Service pension purposes.