§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from employees of local authority public transport companies about the security and comparability of their pension arrangements should their companies pass into private sector ownership.
§ Mr. FreemanI have received representations from PTA company employees, the TGWU and ALBUM (the Association of Local Authority Bus Undertaking Managers). I know that this is an important issue and I will take account of the proposals in respect of pensions in each case at the time consent to the sale arrangements is sought under section 75 of the Transport Act 1985.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to allow those local authorities which currently do not have an arrangement with his Department to enable their public transport company employees to remain in the local government superannuation scheme after transfer to the private sector to make such an arrangement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe guidelines on future membership of public pension schemes, such as the LGSS, were set out in a policy statement of July 1991. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. We have no plans to extend the arrangements referred to.