HC Deb 12 April 1965 vol 710 cc141-2W
Mr. Russell Johnston

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the current rates of retirement pension for each of the Civil Service administrative grades, assuming 40 years of total established service, including three years on the retiring grade; how they compare with the rates of those who retired 10 years ago; and what pension would a widow be entitled to in each case.

Mr. MacDermot

The figures are as follows:

Retirement at 31st March, 1965 Retirement 31st March, 1955
Officer's pension Widow's pension Officer's pension Widow's pension
£ £ £ £
Permanent Secretary 3,853 1,284 2,691 910
Deputy Secretary 2,742 914 1,949 663
Under Secretary 2,237 746 1,549 529
Assistant Secretary 1,957 652 1,311 450
Principal 1,398 466 936 325

The figures for 1955 retirements include increases under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, of 1959 and 1962, and assume for this purpose that the officers and widows concerned are now over the age of 70.

Sir J. Lucas

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, when staffs are reduced and permanent employees have to take a lower rated job, they are not allowed to get a pension to which they were previously entitled; what action he intends to take to remedy this situation; and whether discretion or compromise is allowed for a man who is demoted just before his service is time-expired.

Mr. MacDermot

Under the Superannuation Acts pension benefits in the Civil Service are related to average salary during the last three years' of service. These Acts provide various alternatives for those who become redundant shortly before retiring age. If the hon. Member has particular cases in mind, perhaps he will write to me about them.