§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister for the Civil Service what is his estimate of the number of civil servants to benefit from the payment of a tax-free retirement bonus in the current financial year; of the average value of such individual bonuses, and the largest single payment to be made; and how these figures compare with the corresponding figures for 1978 –79.
§ Mr. ChannonIt is estimated that 28,500 civil servants will retire in 1979–80 and that the average lump sum benefit payable to them will be about £3,850. In 1978–79, lump sums averaging £3,080 were paid to 28,195 retiring civil servants. It is customary not to give information about benefits paid to identifiable individuals. However, a permanent secretary retiring on 30th September 1979 after 35 years service would receive a lump sum of £35,766. The corresponding figure for a retirement on 30 September 1978 would be £30,218.