§
' In Schedule 10 to the 1977 Act (rent assessment committees) the following paragraph is inserted after paragraph 7—
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7A. The Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Minister for the Civil Service, provide for the payment of pensions, allowances or gratuities to or in respect of any person nominated to act as president or vice-president of a panel.".'.—[Mr. Stanley.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
4.28 pm§ The Minister for Housing and Construction (Mr. John Stanley)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
The intention of the clause is to rectify a defect in pensions legislation as it applies to presidents and vice-presidents of rent assessment panels. There are 16 panels covering areas of England and Wales, and from their members are appointed rent assessment committees and rent tribunals under the Rent Acts. The presidents and vice-presidents serve mostly in a part-time capacity from one to four days a week.
It was originally thought that the Rent Acts provided cover for the payment of pensions if justified under the public service pension rules governing those in part-time service. However, subsequent advice was to the contrary. The clause remedies that defect.
It is in line with general Government policy since 1973 that part-time salaried office holders in public bodies should be eligible for pension, depending on their years of service. The clause provides an enabling power to pay pensions but not an obligation to do so. Under current policy for the pensioning of holders of public offices, pensions would be available only for those who served for a minimum of two days a week. A similar power has already been included in the Tenants Rights, Etc. (Scotland) Bill. I hope that the House will accept the new clause.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.