HC Deb 19 July 1995 vol 263 cc1360-1W
Mr. Spellar

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of early retirement and redundancy packages for armed forces personnel in the last year for which figures are available. [35129]

Mr. Soames

During financial year 1994–95 redundancy payments of £453,000,000 were made. This figure includes special capital payments, early payment of terminal grants, commuted pension payments and the first year's early payment of immediate pensions.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total amount of redundancy payments paid to British service personnel who have left the armed forces under the "Options for Change" policies as of 1 July. [34077]

Mr. Soames

The current redundancy programme began in financial year 1992–93. In that year redundancy payments of £232,000,000 were made. In 1993–94 and 1994–95 the payments totalled £509,000,000 and £453,000,000 respectively.

These payments include special capital payments, and early payment of terminal grants, commuted pension payments and the first year's payment of immediate pensions.