§ Lord Byersasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the forthcoming review by the Secretary of State for Social Services of the terms on which contracting-out of the state pension scheme is permitted will be confined to reviewing the amount of abatement in national insurance contributions payable in respect of those contracted-out and reviewing the actuarial tables used for certain purposes in connection with contracting-out as provided for in Sections 28 and 46 of the 1975 Social Security Pensions Act respectively; or whether it is his intention to extend the review so as to consider other matters affecting contracting-out with a view to making further changes in the terms negotiated in 1975 with all party support on which the current partnership between state and private pension provision is based.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Elton)My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is required by statute to review the reduced national insurance contributions payable by contracted-out employers and employees and also the basis for the calculation of certain state scheme pensions. A memorandum widely circulated in the summer at the consultative stage of the current review indicated that the Secretary of State would also review certain other aspects of the contracting-out arrangements. The Government will give full consideration to representations received at the consultative stage.
See correction at columns 1477–1478 of the daily part for Thursday, 4th February 1982.