§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if men and women in the NHS pension scheme have contributed the same percentage contributions since 1972; [36800]
(2) what representations he has received regarding discrimination against women doctors in the NHS pension scheme in the last year; and if he will make a statement. [36799]
§ Mr. MaloneThe contribution level of both men and women in the national health service pension scheme has been at 5 per cent. of pensionable earnings for manual workers, 6 per cent. of pensionable earnings for other staff, since 1972. Widower benefits were introduced into the scheme at no extra cost in April 1988. A voluntary purchase scheme was available until June 1989 to enable those members who wished to have additional widowers benefits cover to buy past service, costs being shared by NHS employers.
On 6 April the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville), met representatives of the British Medical Association seeking retrospective improvements of widowers benefits. Since I July 1994, 29 right hon. and hon. Members have written on the same subject.