HC Deb 21 December 1989 vol 164 cc434-5W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will arrange for Property Services Agency employees' severance terms to be no less favourable than those granted to workers in ordnance factories and dockyards;

(2) if he will make a statement on his discussions with the United States forces on the future of the Property Services Agency;

(3) when he hopes to announce the results of the study of the formalities of the relationship between the United States Air Force and the Property Services Agency when the Property Services Agency has been privatised.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 13 December 1989]: There have been several discussions with representatives of United States forces about their future relationship with PSA since my right hon. Friend's statement of 25 May 1988. Further discussions of the implications of privatisation are now in progress as part of the study I referred to in the debate on the Property Services Agency and Crown Suppliers Bill on 6 December. This study is being led by the Ministry of Defence with full PS .A involvement. My right hon. Friend will make an announcement about the continuing role of a privatised PSA in providing services to United States forces in the United Kingdom as soon as conclusions have been reached.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has in relation to regulation 7 of the principal Civil Service pensions scheme concerning Property Services Agency employees.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 13 December 1989]: On pensions, we shall make it clear to purchasers that we expect them to offer terms which are broadly comparable with those of the principal Civil Service pension scheme. The terms that they offer will be subject to analysis by the Government Actuary. If they are assessed as not being as good as the Civil Service scheme, some means will be found to ensure that the staff are not disadvantaged in respect of the overall terms and conditions of service.

On redundancy, the purchaser will be required to provide compensation terms which, as far as possible, are identical to those the staff have at present.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the Government Actuary has advised about the Property Services Agency pension terms offer.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 13 December 1989]: Advice on an offer has not been sought.