§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service staff accepted early retirement redundancy payments from the National Health Service at the time of the restructuring in 1980 and 1981; how many were reinstated immediately; how many have been reinstated subsequently; what was the total amount paid out in redundancy payments; and what was the average payment.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to the reply, 28 November 1983, c. 418]: Up to 31 October 1983, 2,580 National Health Service staff in England had received awards of compensation under the premature retirement arrangements arising from the 1982 reorganisation. Information is not available centrally on the number among the 2,580 who received redundancy payments as 512W such or the amounts paid by health auhorities. Premature retirement may entitle an officer to early payment of earned superannuation benefits, and enhancement of those benefits. Information about this is held centrally and the total amount of pension paid to these former officers up to 31 October 1983 is £8.950 million and lump sum payments amount to £37.663 million, averages respectively of £3,469 and £14,598 per officer.
On the question of re-employment, I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) today.