§ Mr. David Howellasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he proposes to bring forward any changes to the parliamentary pension scheme to enable right hon. and hon. Members to take advantage of personal portable pensions.
§ Mr. BiffenI will be proposing amendments to the parliamentary pension scheme so that membership will no longer be compulsory for right hon. and hon. Members, in order to comply with the requirements of section 15 of the Social Security Act 1986. This will enable Members to participate in personal pension arrangements, if they so wish, instead of the parliamentary scheme.
I expect to bring forward these amendments in time for them to take effect when section 15 of the Social Security Act 1986 comes into force.