§ Mr. Doverasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made on the introduction of pension arrangements for employees which do not discriminate against those who change their jobs.
§ Dr. BoysonThe first major step was the Social Security Act 1973 which required pension rights of early leavers with five or more years' service to be preserved but not increased. The second step was the Social Security Pensions Act 1975 which provided for all employees to build up earnings related pension rights which, within the limits of the state pension scheme, are payable irrespective of job changes and protected against inflation.
More recently, we called a special conference on early leavers on 14 September which was most valuable in identifying the action needed to protect other pension rights in excess of the statutory minimum. We are still considering the various points of view and will make a further statement as soon as we have agreed proposals for future Government action.