HC Deb 13 July 1989 vol 156 cc577-8W
Mr. Baldry

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether changes are planned in the occupational pension arrangements for part-time staff working in the Civil Service.

Mr. Brooke

New, more flexible pension arrangements for part-time staff, most of whom are women, are to be introduced from 1 January 1990. They will provide greater opportunity for part-time staff to earn pension benefits. The new arrangements complement the alternative working patterns initiative, and will help the Civil Service to tap into sources of skilled and experienced staff who may hitherto have been deterred by the traditional working pattern. The changes will also enable useful simplification of administrative procedures to be made.