HC Deb 19 July 1994 vol 247 cc92-3W
Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the public sector accounts for pension costs and for the change in potential pension liabilities for(a) civil servants in Departments and (b) executive agency staff.

Mr. Dorrell

Staff in Departments and executive agencies are members of the principal civil service pension scheme. Although the scheme is unfunded, employers meet on an accruals basis the cost of pension cover provided for their staff by the payment of accruing superannuation liability charges. These payments are appropriated in aid of the treasury civil superannuation vote; class XVII, vote 3. The level of the charge reflects actuarial assessment by the Government Actuary of the payments that need to be made to finance the liabilities of the scheme.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of pensions paid to former Treasury staff in real terms in 1965, 1975, 1985 and the most recent year; and what is the estimated cost in 1995 and 2000.

Mr. Dorrell

Staff of the Treasury are members of the principal civil service pension scheme which is the occupational pension arrangement for civil servants. The Treasury meets, on an accruals basis, the emerging pension costs of the staff it employs. Pension payments to former Treasury staff, including surviving spouses, are estimated at £21.75 million for 1993–94. Information relating to previous and future years is not readily available.