Recruitment and Assessment Services

HC Deb 19 March 1996 vol 274 cc97-8W

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to protect the pension entitlement of staff of Recruitment and Assessment Services; what assessment he has made of efficiency gains from privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [20663]

Mr. Willetts

All those bidding to acquire Recruitment and Assessment Services will have to offer its staff a pension scheme certified by the Government Actuary as offering broadly comparable benefits to those available in the principal civil service pension scheme, or to offer sufficient compensation—such as a higher rate of pay—where benefits are not comparable. Bidders not fulfilling this requirement will be disqualified.

Mr. Freeman

I have today announced the publication of the Government's report on the operation of the code of practice during 1995, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.