§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of those undertakings (a) which have been privatised since 1979 and (b) which it is now proposed to privatise; and if he will specify the changes made or proposed in the operation of the pension funds for each such undertaking prior to privatisation.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a list of those undertakings (a) which have been privatised since 1979 and (b) which it is now proposed to privatise; and if he will specify the changes made or proposed in the operation of the pension funds for each such undertaking prior to privatisation.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will publish a list of those undertakings (a) which have 45W been privatised since 1979 and (b) which it is now proposed to privatise; and in each case, what changes have been made, or are proposed, in the operation of the pension funds for each such undertaking prior to privatisation.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of those undertakings (a) which have been privatised since 1979 and (b) which it is now proposed to privatise; and if he will specify the changes made, or proposed, in the operation of the pension funds for each such undertaking prior to privatisation.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a list of those undertakings (a) which have been privatised since 1979 and (b) which it is now proposed to privatise; and if he will specify the changes made, or proposed, in the operation of the pension funds for each such undertaking prior to privatisation.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of those undertakings (a) which have been privatised since 1979 and (b) which it is now proposed to privatise; and if he will specify the changes made, or proposed, in the operation of the pension funds for each such undertaking prior to privatisation.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a list of those undertakings (a) which have been privatised since 1979 and (b) which it is now proposed to privatise; and in each case what changes have been made, or are proposed, in the operation of the pension funds for each such undertaking prior to privatisation.
§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish a list of those undertakings (a) which have been privatised since 1979 and (b) which it is now proposed to privatise; and in each case what changes have been made, or are proposed, in the operation of the pension funds for each such undertaking prior to privatisation.
46W
§ Mr. MooreI have been asked to reply.
The major undertakings privatised since 1979 have been Amersham International, Associated British Ports, British Aerospace, certain British Rail subsidiaries, Britoil, Cable and Wireless, International Aeradio and the National Freight Company.
Future privatisation plans remain as set out in our manifesto. We shall, however, continue to consider other potential candidates.
In general, except for privatisations affecting the Civil Service itself, the Government have no responsibility for the operation of the pension funds which are involved. These are the responsibility of the industries and the pension fund trustees.
In the case of the future privatisation of the royal ordnance factories, where employees are currently civil servants and members of the principal Civil Service pension scheme, the Government will, on incorporation, make a transfer payment to the new company's pension scheme in respect of employees transferring who opt to transfer pensions rights accrued during their Civil Service employment. I am also aware of significant changes made or proposed in the operation prior to privatisation, of pension schemes in the following cases:
a. Amersham International, where workers employed before 2 December 1981 had the option of staying with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority scheme (which gives similar benefits to Civil Service schemes). All persons joining after 2 December were contracted to a new scheme, which provided for uprating to a maximum of 7 per cent. per annum. Further increases were at the discretion of the Trustees. The percentage contribution was comparable to that of the UKAEA scheme.b. British Airways, where the existing pension fund is to continue without change but will be closed to new entrants. A new pension fund having lower contributions and benefits will be introduced on 1 April 1984.In other cases existing arrangements continued without significant change prior to privatisation or plans are insufficiently advanced for prospective changes, if any, to be identified.