§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether the Government's 6 per cent. cash limits for public servants' increases in incomes will apply to the pensions drawn by former Prime Ministers, former Speakers, former Lord Chancellors and those drawn by former hon. Members who are now Members of the House of Lords; whether this 6 per cent. will apply to other payments drawn by these persons from public funds; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonPublic service pensions were increased by 16.5 per cent. on 24 November 1980, subject, in the case of former Prime Ministers, Speakers and Lord Chancellors, to a limit of the present office-holder's prospective pension. Any increases in other payments from public funds would reflect what is agreed to be appropriate in the light of the circumstances of the time.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will take steps to arrange for the earnings rule cut-off as applied to national insurance pensions to be applied to all pensions paid out of public funds and commence on the basis of this being applied to former hon. Members, Prime Ministers, Lord Chancellors, former Speakers and ex-civil servants.
§ Mr. ChannonSuch a provision is not a feature of general occupational pension policy and I see no reason to include it in the abatement arrangements for public service pensioners. Pension practice in the private sector is a matter for individual employers.