§ 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 1974 National Health Service reorganisation; how many were reinstated immediately; how many have been reinstated since 1974; what was the total amount paid out in redundancy payments; and what was the average payment.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAccording to available records the total number of National Health Service staff in England who were awarded compensation in respect of premature retirement in connection with the 1974 reorganisation was 759. It is not possible to say how many were paid redundancy compensation, in addition to their superannuation compensation.
The total amount of annual compensation paid under superannuation regulations on premature retirement was approximately £507,000 and the total amount of lump sum authorised was approximately £961,000. This would give average annual payments of £668 and lump sum of £1,267 to which would be added the earned superannuation benefits and any redundancy compensation.
Information on re-employment of these staff is not available.
§ 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 ClarkeI shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.