§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why no information is available about the re-employment of doctors who have retired; if he will now ensure that this information is provided; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have taken great care to regulate and restrict the re-employment of former NHS staff who have taken early retirement with added compensation. However, no especial problems arise in the case of doctors who have retired normally with only the pension benefits they have earned through contributions. Such pensioners may return to NHS employment and the only restriction is that if the combination of their pension and pay exceeds their superannuable pay at retirement, their pensions are abated by the amount of the excess.
While, therefore, individual pension records show when a pensioner resumes NHS employment, I see no need to collate this information.