§ 64. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from trade unions concerning his unilateral decision to alter the terms of the National Health Service superannuation scheme; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have received representations against the proposal to abolish the payment of interest on contributions returned to those who voluntarily leave National Health Service employment, but not against the proposal that the Exchequer should take responsibility for all but a very small part of the actuarial deficit of £80 million.
As I said in my reply to a number of Questions on 29th February, I am at present considering these representations.
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§ 65. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Health the number of employees in the National Health Service who left the service voluntarily before retirement in each of the years 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959, respectively; and whether they were paid interest on the contributions they had paid in to the National Health Service superannuation scheme.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI regret that precise figures are not available, but it is estimated that about 50,000 employees voluntarily left superannuable employment in the National Health Service in each of the years in question. In all but a very small minority of these cases interest on returned contributions was paid.