HC Deb 23 January 1973 vol 849 cc126-8W
Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the number of male civil servants who retired in 1963 at age 65 years on pensions of £1,000 or less, who have made yearly allocations of £100 or under in favour of their wives who have predeceased them, and whose allocations continue to be deducted from their pensions after the death of their wives.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

Records are not maintained in a form from which this information can be readily obtained, and it would involve a disproportionate cost to public funds to carry out the necessary research.

Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many retired civil servants were making allocations on 1st January 1973, and what was the average amount of such allocations.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

It is estimated that there are some 4,200 retired civil servants who on average each surrendered personal pension of £70 per annum under Option A and an equal number who each surrendered personal pension of £160 per annum under Option B.

Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister for the Civil Service in view of full "parity" payment of Civil Service pensions by members of EEC, whether the Government will consider similar "parity" payment of British civil servants' pensions as from date of entry to EEC.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

The Government have recently undertaken to protect public sector—including Civil Service—pensions against inflation through annual cost of living reviews and no further change in the arrangement is contemplated. While "parity" payments are more common in the other EEC countries, there is no uniform practice and I am satisfied that taken as a whole the pension arrangements for United Kingdom civil servants compare well with those in the public services of the other EEC countries.

Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when Option A, tables Al and A2, and Option B, table B, of the allocation of part pension under section 2 of the Superannuation Act 1935 were last revised; and on what date they are due for revision.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

The tables have not been revised since they were first published. They have been reviewed following the introduction of the new Civil Service pension scheme and it is hoped to publish new tables shortly.