§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to allow general practitioners over the age of 50 years to join the NHS pension scheme. [33494]
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§ Mr. HuttonGeneral practitioners are entitled to join or rejoin the national health service pension scheme at any time until age 70, unless they are aged 50 or over and have already received benefits from the NHS scheme.
§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) general practitioner practices, (b) health trusts and (c) health authorities paid their pension contributions late in the last period for which figures are available. [33621]
§ Mr. HuttonThe number of general practitioner practices, national health service trusts and health authorities who have paid pension contributions to the NHS pension scheme for England and Wales after the due date, is set out in the table.
NHS trusts and health authorities General practitioner practices November 2001 Number of participating employers 735 631 Number paid after the due date 51 40 Percentage paid after the due date 6.9 6.3 March 2001 Number of participating employers 8,579 8,606 Number paid after the due date 1,336 1,642 Percentage paid after the due date 15.6 19.1