§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the total cost of the annual compensation payments made to Sir David Fell from his resignation on 1 October 1997 until his 60 birthday; and what are the grounds on which he is receiving compensation. [7720]
Mr. MurphyWith the approval of the former Secretary of State, Sir David was offered and accepted early retirement in February 1997, under the provisions of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Pay and Conditions of Service Code. The Code provides for flexible retirement on structural grounds where an officer's departure would assist in easing problems of succession planning. Under the scheme Sir David will receive an annual payment (know as an annual compensation payment) in lieu of pension until normal civil service retirement age.
The total cost of the annual payments is personal to Sir David, under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1984.