§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service at what date in the 1970s a wage freeze was imposed; what were the rates of the named top 10 civil servants' salaries at that date and at the latest stated date; and since then how many chairmen and members of Government boards, committees, tribunals, &c. have been appointed; at what salary and expenses; and what are the total annual costs of these appointments.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisA wage freeze was introduced by the last Conservative Government with effect from 6th November 1972.
It is not possible to identify any group of 10 civil servants who are senior to all others, but the rates in payment for Permanent Secretaries, who constitute the most senior grade, together with the numbers in post as at the relevant dates, were as follows:
in the Official Report a list of persons in the public service, in addition to Prime Ministers, who are permitted to retire at any age and to receive a full Government pension, while remaining in Government-paid employment; and to what extent 261W the national insurance earnings rule applies to these pensions.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisIn addition to the Prime Minister, eligibility for a pension on retirement at any age extends only to the holders of the two other high offices covered by Part II of the Parliamentary and Other Pensions Act 1972. In each case, however, receipt of the pension or any further salary may be restricted if that further salary is payable out of the Consolidated Fund, the revenues of the Duchy of Lancaster, or moneys provided by Parliament. The national insurance earnings rule does not apply to any occupational pensions.