§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether, using on the same basis the detailed information given by him in Written Question No. 108 on Wednesday 12th July to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West, he will show how these figures compare with the salaries and pension rights of hon. Members on the same dates as quoted in the reply.
§ Mr. FootI have been asked to reply. In 1965 the Member's salary for both pay and pension purposes was £3,250. On 1st April 1978 the basic rate in payment was £6,270, and the rate for pension purposes was £8,208; a resolution is currently before the House to increase these amounts to £6,897 and £9,372 respectively with effect from 13th June 1978.
A Member of the House of Commons who retired in 1965 was entitled to a pension at age 65 if he had at least 10 years' reckonable service. The annual pension payable was £60 for each year of reckonable service up to 15 years and £24 for each additional year up to a limit of 45 years. Only 10 years before 16th October 1964 could be counted as reckonable. A Member who retired on 1st April 1978 would have been entitled to a pension at age 65 if he had at least four years' reckonable service. The annual pension payable would have been 1/60th of pensionable salary for each year of service, subject to a limit of 10 years reckonable service before 16th October 491W 1964—to be raised to 15 years for Members in service in the House of Commons on the passing of the Parliamentary Pensions Bill currently before Parliament. Part of the pension may be commuted as a lump sum.