§ Sir Robert McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take to protect the pensions of local government employees who are called up for service as reservists during the present crisis.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Department has today gone out to consultation on amendments to the local government superannuation scheme designed to preserve full superannuation rights for any local government employee serving as a reservist. They would apply retrospectively with effect from 17 December 1990, the date of the order authorising the call-out of reserves.
If, in any case, an authority declines to make good any shortfall between service and civilian salary, the regulations will provide for the cost of both the employee's and the employer's contribution to be met by the authority. I understand, however, that authorities are in the main indicating their readiness to make good any shortfall in salary and I hope that all will conclude that they should do so.