§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the different treatment accorded to doctors who retired in 1974 and those who retired a year later in regard to their pension entitlement.
§ Dr. VaughanUnder the pay code adopted in 1973, certain increases to correct anomalies were permitted but it was provided, nevertheless, that any increases 333W in pay beyond £5,000 per annum would have to be paid in two instalments not before 7 November 1973 and 7 November 1974 respectively. However, to avoid adversely affecting the superannuation benefits of doctors, and other, retiring between November 1975, it was agreed by the Government that for the purpose of calculating superannuation benefits, both instalments would be deemed to have been paid on 7 November 1973.
I am aware of no significant differences between the treatment of doctors retiring in 1974 and 1975 as regards their pension entitlement. In both years certain payments were withheld on incomes policy grounds. But in both years these withholding were discounted for the purpose of calculating superannuation benefits.