§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards the payment of a pension to a convicted person who was, prior to conviction, a local government officer; and if he issues any guidance in respect of the practice that should be adopted in such cases.
§ Mr. KingBy virtue of amendments made to the local government super-annuation scheme in 1977, in compliance with the requirements of the Social Security Act 1973, the rights enjoyed by a pensionable employee may only be forfeited if he has been convicted of an offence in connection with his employment and my right hon. Friend, at the request of his employing authority, certifies that the offence was either gravely injurious to the State or liable to lead to a serious loss of confidence in the public service.
If such a certificate is given, it is for the employing authority to decide whether all or any of the employee's rights under the scheme shall be forfeit. My right hon. Friend has not issued any general guidance to local authorities about the way in which these powers should be used.