§ Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the expenditure in 1974–75 on police and fire service pensions in England, Scotland and Wales; and what is the estimated expenditure in 1975–76.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsReturns of expenditure made by police and fire authorities in England and Wales show that in 1974–75 benefits paid under the Police Pensions Regulations and the Firemen's Pension Scheme amounted to £51 million and £12.5 million respectively. Estimates of expenditure in 1975–76, made for the purpose of the rate support grant negotiations and based on current trends, are £64 million for the police scheme and £15 million for the firemen's scheme. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that, on the basis of preliminary returns, expenditure in Scotland in 1974–75 was £5.3 million for the police scheme and £1 million for the firemen's scheme and that estimates of expenditure in 1975–76 are not yet available.
These figures take no account of contributions paid by members of the schemes.