§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to provide that all persons who are entitled to pensions payable from several sources as the result of previous employment shall, above a particular total figure, be entitled only to the highest of these pensions.
§ Sir William Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what contributions are made by civil servants or public sector employees in regard to the basic State pension; whether these employees pay the same as employees in the private sector; whether they pay a lesser or, in some cases, nil amount; and, in the latter case, if he will give the reasons.
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§ Mr. RossiCivil servants and most public sector employees have the same national insurance contribution liability as employees in the private sector with similar earnings. The rate of contribution is dependent upon the individual's age, whether—in the case of married women and widows—they have retained a right to pay reduced contributions, and whether the employment is contracted-out employment. Members of Her Majesty's Forces pay a slightly reduced rate of contribution, but this rebate is a consequence of their exclusion from entitlement to short-term benefits such as sickness benefit and is not related to the basic State pension.