§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will request the Boyle committee to investigate the pension rights of hon. Members to see to what extent they should be placed on the same basis as civil servants and other public servants; and whether he will request that an examination be made to ascertain to what extent Members' redundancy payments compare with workers generally and those in executive positions in particular.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThe pension arrangements for honourable Members were reviewed by the Top Salaries Review Body in 1975 and 1976, and the changes it recommended were implemented in the Parliamentary Pensions Act 1978. The review body is fulfilling a remit to review the pension position of former Members who left the House before 2 August 1978 and the arrangements for severance pay for Members. The Government have no plans at present to invite the review body to undertake further studies of these matters.