HC Deb 09 November 1972 vol 845 cc251-2W
Dr. David Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the number of consultants who changed from maximum part time to whole time employment each year within the National Health Service for the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by age groups from 50–55, 55–60, and from 60–65; what is the minimum period which they will have to serve as whole time consultants to be eligible for a full pension based on whole time pension rates; and how many consultants over these years who exercised their option to return to whole time service qualified or can expect to qualify only by serving for the minimum period of time.

Mr. Alison

Records identifying maximum part-time consultants were not kept centrally before 1971; for the year ending 30th September, 1972, provisional figures for maximum part-time consultants changing to whole-time contracts in England and Wales are:

By age at time of change from maximum part-time to whole-time
Total 49 and under 50–54 55–59 60–64
36 9 12 11 4

Not all maximum part-time consultants can improve their pensions in respect of their part-time service by becoming whole-time before retirement; those with part-time service before December, 1966, can in some circumstances do so. They will benefit most if they have three years' whole-time service immediately before retirement. The method of calculating superannuation benefits for consultants with part-time service before December, 1966, is at present under review.

I regret that the information requested in the final part of the Question is not available.