HC Deb 26 April 1993 vol 223 cc289-90W
Mr. David Shaw

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total unfunded liability of civil service and other public sector pensions and the amount by which that liability has increased or decreased in each of the last three years.

Mr. Portillo

The latest figures available for the liabilities of the main unfunded public service pension schemes in the United Kingdom relate to 31 March 1991. The estimated total liabilities of the present and former members accrued to that date are around £170 billion. The comparative figures requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Department 1 April 1979 Staff 1979–80 Pay £ million 1991–92 Staff 1991–92. Pay £ million
Defence (including Armed Forces) 577,000 3,917 445,000 8,921
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (including ODA) 12,000 135 10,000 362
Agriculture 15,000 93 11,000 236
Trade and Industry 19,000 145 12,000 271
Employment 54,000 300 53,000 778
Transport 14,000 80 11,000 205
Environment 53,000 450 24,000 673
Home Office 34,000 225 48,000 938
Legal Departments 18,000 100 29,000 504
Education 21,000 143 3,000 67
Heritage 1,000 62 1,000 192
Health (including NHS) 929,000 5,023 879,000 11,880
Social Security 94,000 443 78,000 1,199
Scotland 13,000 600 13,000 1,872
Wales 3,000 400 2,000 826
Northern Ireland 29,000 175 29,000 524