HC Deb 24 October 1978 vol 955 cc796-7W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Lord President of the Council what information is available to him of the average length of time a Member serves in the House.

Mr. Foot

From analysis of the data provided in connection with actuarial valuations of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund, the average length of parliamentary service of those hon. Members leaving the House between 1st April 1972 and 31st March 1975 was 14.8 years; 24.1 years for those leaving with an immediate pension from the Fund and 12.0 years for other leavers.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will list the number of hon. Members who are over the age of 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, and 50 years, respectively, in the current Parliament.

Mr. Foot

At 1st April 1978, of the 631 hon. Members, 5 were born in 1903 or earlier, 32 in 1908 or earlier, 80 in 1913 or earlier, 154 in 1918 or earlier, 244 in 1923 or earlier and 363 in 1928 or earlier.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will estimate the cost to an hon. Member over the age of 50, 55, and 60 years, with five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service in the House of buying-in part of his pension rights to become qualified for a pension when he retires from Parliament at the ages mentioned, in the event of the hon. Member wishing to do so on personal or health reasons before reaching the recognised parliamentary pension age.

Mr. Foot

The basic cost of purchasing an added year of recoknable service will depend only upon the age and sex of the applicant. Details will be contained in an order to be laid before the House shortly.